Unlikely as it may sound, setting Donizetti’s comic masterpiece, The Elixir of Love, in the English countryside during World War II was a positively inspired move by director Harry Fehr. English National Opera’s latest production looks just gorgeous with its Land Girls and their pitchforks and those dashing Spitfire pilots all bathed in a golden autumnal glow (hats off to designer Nicky Shaw, costumes by Zahra Mansouri and lighting by Mark Jonathan).
The story is, of course, as frothy and ridiculous as a mushroom cappuccino. Adina is the lady of the manor, courted by two very different suitors. Gawky Nemorino laments his shyness as he watches his rival, Belcore, apparently winning Adina over – though she is actually quite happy to keep everyone on their toes. In despair, when the quack doctor, Dulcamara, appears on the scene selling a fake panacea that cures all ills, he asks whether he might have a love potion, too.
Bridget Lappin, Brandon Cedel and Reece Causton in ENO’s The Elixir of Love
Seizing the opportunity, Dulcamara sells him one (actually, a bottle of wine) that, once drunk, will make him irresistible to all women. To his amazement, this appears to happen although, unbeknown to Nemorino, it’s actually because the local gossips have discovered he’s inherited his uncle’s estate and is now a rich man. I’ll leave you to guess the outcome but, rest assured, there is most certainly a happy ending.
The ENO Chorus excel here, not just in terms of their singing either – their comic talents are given full rein. The orchestra is under the baton of Austrian-Spanish conductor Teresa Riveiro Bohm and they play Donizetti’s delightfully playful score with gusto, though at times, particularly in the first act, they tended to overpower the soloists. Making his debut at ENO, Thomas Atkins is a suitably youthful Nemorino, all Fair Isle pullover and floppy hair. After a tentative start, Atkins grew into the role and by Act II he was in his element (his Una Furtiva Lagrima almost got a standing ovation).
Thomas Atkins as Nemorino in ENO’s The Elixir of Love
As Adina, Rhian Lois displayed not just great comic timing (a far cry from her last appearance here in The Handmaid’s Tale) and an equally confident vocal range. (She also looks good whether in jodphurs, scarlet satin or a parachute.) Dan D’Souza was a dastardly, swaggering Belcore, all medals and mustachios, who deserved his comeuppance and, as the mountebank Dulcamara, Brandon Cedel (accompanied by his silently effective assistants, Reece Couston and Bridget Lappin) dominated the stage with his fine bass-baritone.
Donizetti’s music is as delightful as it is familiar – it’s like being embraced in a warm hug. After some initial first night nerves, the second act was an absolute joy, the singers weren’t overpowered by the orchestra, the pace warmed up considerably and it was clear everyone – singers and audience alike – were enjoying it all hugely. The ENO has another, positively spiffing, hit on their hands.
The Elixir of Love runs at the London Coliseum from 20th November to 5th December. For more information, and for bookings, please visit www.eno.org.
Photos by Marc Brenner
