L'elisir d'amore (Donizetti)
In L'elisir d'amore, Gaetano Donizetti and his librettist Felice Romani created some of the most human and ingratiating characters in all of opera. This 1959 Tokyo production features the legendary singers Ferruccio Tagliavini and Alda Noni in their only complete live performances captured on film. Sung and acted with a refreshing spontaneity, humor, and lightness of touch, the performance is a rare and precious memento of a bygone era when opera was still part of popular Italian culture. Embedded Japanese subtitles remain on screen throughout. Optional subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. 107 minutes, Black & White, mono, 4:3, All regions.
Note: there is a gap in the video image for the first nine minutes of Dulcamara's entrance scene which has been filled in with still images from the production; the audio continues without interruption. ( VAI MUSIC )
L'ELISIR D'AMORE
Opera in Two Acts
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Felice Romani, after
Eugene Scribe's libretto for Auber's Le philtre
Nemorino: Ferruccio Tagliavini
Adina: Alda Noni
Belcore: Arturo La Porta
Dulcamara: Paolo Montarsolo
Giannetta: Santa Chissari
The NHK Symphony Orchestra
Tokyo Broadcasting Chorus
Osaka Broadcasting Chorus
Nikikai Chorus Group
Fujiwara Opera Chorus
Japan Ballet Association
Chorus Master: Tadashi Mori
Alberto Erede, conductor
Stage Director: Bruno Nofri
Set Design: Mario Pompei
Choreography: Hiroshi Shimada
February 8, 1959 Tokyo Takarazuka Hall
1959 NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai), Japan
CHAPTER SELECTION
Act I
1. Preludio; Bel conforto al mietitore (Giannetta, Coro)
2. Quanto e bella, quanto e cara! (Nemorino, Giannetta, Coro)
3. Benedette queste carte!... Della crudele Isotta (Adina, Nemorino, Coro)
4. Come Paride vezzoso! (Belcore, Adina, Giannetta, Nemorino, Coro)
5. Piu tempo, oh Dio!, non perdere (Belcore, Adina, Nemorino, Coro)
6. Una parola, o Adina (Nemorino, Adina)
*7. Che vuol dire codesta sonata? (Coro)
*8. Udite, udite, o rustici (Dulcamara, Coro, Nemorino)
9. Dottore, perdonate… Obbligato, obbligato (Nemorino, Dulcamara)
10. Caro elisir ! sei mio! (Nemorino, Adina)
11. Tran, tran, in guerra ed in amore (Belcore, Adina, Nemorino)
12. Signor sargente! (Giannetta, Belcore, Nemorino, Adina, Coro)
13. Adina, credimi te ne scongiuro (Nemorino, Belcore, Adina, Giannetta, Coro)
Act II
14. Cantiamo, facciam brindisi (Belcore, Adina, Dulcamara, Coro)
15. La Nina Gondoliera, e il senator Tredenti (Dulcamara, Adina, Belcore, Coro)
16. Le feste nuziali (Dulcamara, Nemorino, Belcore)
17. Venti scudi (Nemorino, Belcore)
18. Sara possibile? (Giannetta, Coro)
19. Dell'elisir mirabile (Nemorino, Giannetta, Coro)
20. Come sen va contento… Quanto amore (Adina, Dulcamara)
21. Una furtiva lacrima (Nemorino)
22. Eccola!... Prendi; per me sei libero (Nemorino, Adina)
23. Alto! Fronte!... Ei corregge ogni difetto (Belcore, Adina, Dulcamara, Nemorino, Coro)
24. Closing Credits
*the video image is missing for chapters 7 & 8
