The Elixir of Love
GAETANO DONIZETTI
Love unwrapped at the village fête.
7th, 11th, 13th August 2026
Sung in English.
Amphitheatre, Waterperry Gardens
With the Waterperry Opera Festival Orchestra.
Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love bursts to life at a village fair, where a fast‑talking elixir seller, a self‑styled charmer, and two stubborn hearts set off romance, rivalry, and irresistible community spirit under lanterns and bunting.
Under the glow of lanterns and bunting, a lively fête transforms the Waterperry amphitheatre into a village green beside a chocolate factory. Adina, savvy and independent, delights in her freedom while Nemorino longs to be seen. As a preening charmer from another land marches in to stake his claim to Adina’s hand, and a smooth elixir‑seller supplies bottled bravery, mischief and playful theatricality erupts. Donizetti’s beloved comedy reminds us that no potion can purchase love - but courage and a well‑timed confession can change everything.
Credits
Opera by Gaetano Donizetti.
With a new English libretto by David Eaton.
Timings
Performance starts at 6:30pm. Approx finish 10pm.
Extended Dining Interval of 1 hr 15.
Tickets
Tickets start at £39, with a small booking fee.
Under 35s Tickets at £23-£25, Under 16s Tickets at £15, Benefit Holder/NHS Blue Light Tickets at £30-£32.
Language
In a new English translation by David Eaton.
Age Guidance 10+
General Booking opens 31st March.
Creative Team
Director | John Wilkie
Conductor | Charlotte Politi
Set & Costume Designer | Ceci Calf
Lighting Designer | Jake Wiltshire
Cast
Adina | Daisy Brown
Nemorino | Matthew McKinney
Dr Dulcamara | Matthew Kellett
Belcore | James Geidt
Giannetta | Madeline Robinson
The Music
Our production of Donizetti'sThe Elixir of Love, sung in a fresh, sparkling English translation, promises to be a truly uplifting comedy, brimming with mischievous humour, music that moves at an alarmingly rattling pace, and a truly touching love story at its heart.
This perfectly crafted story is full of deliciously larger than life characters - from the travelling salesman-turned-doctor Dulcamara and his miracle elixir, to the witty, clever Adina, and the suave, arrogantly charming Sergeant Belcore.
The opera is particularly famous for the love-lorn Nemorino's final aria "Una furtiva lagrima" which never fails to capture the hearts of audiences (especially under the starlit sky at Waterperry), and Dulcamara's hilarious sales-pitch patter song "Udite!".
If you’re new to The Elixir of Love, dive into our Spotify playlist and experience some of the opera’s most unforgettable moments.
FAQs
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Donizetti’s comedy runs for approximately 2 hours, plus a 1 hour 15 minute dining interval.
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A heart-warming romantic comedy filled with charm and wit. When the shy Nemorino buys a “love potion” to win the beautiful Adina, chaos — and love — inevitably follow.
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Absolutely! It's full of lively music, laugh out loud comedy, and is a firm favourite for newcomers and seasoned opera lovers alike.
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At Waterperry Opera Festival, The Elixir of Love is performed in English, with no surtitles.
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The production takes place in the Amphitheatre at Waterperry Gardens.
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The Amphitheatre has limited accessibility:
The route from the Box Office is level and takes around 5 minutes.
The back row is step-free and suitable for wheelchair users or patrons with reduced mobility.
All other rows are accessed via steep concrete steps without a handrail.
Please contact access@waterperryoperafestival.co.uk to reserve accessible seating.
