Overview
Opera returns to Bar Harbor with a raucous and fresh retelling of one of opera’s greatest romantic comedies, Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore (Elixir of Love). This immersive experience, produced by Sarah Joyce Cooper and Eric Mahl and Directed by Marshall Hughes, brings love, gangsters, hilarity and joy to the Criterion theater this summer as we travel back into the 1930s. Full of color, energy and life, this production is sure to have you laughing, crying, and falling in love with our all-star cast.
Nemorino, a humble and lovesick paperboy will do anything to win the affection of Adina, the beautiful and wealthy daughter of the Mayor. When Belcore, a notorious mob boss arrives with his cronies and sets his sights on Adina, Nemorino knows that time is running out for him to win Adina’s heart. Just in the nick of time, “Doctor” Dulcamara, a quack physician and scam artist arrives with the perfect solution for Nemorino: the Elixir of Love! Scheming and hijinks ensue as this rowdy bunch competes for money, marriage, and true love.
Performance Information
In Italian with English supertitles.
Run time: 2 hours and 30 minutes including one intermission
Tuesday, July 15th at 2:00 PM and Wednesday, July 16th at 7:30 PM
The 1932 Criterion Theater
What people said
“This is high art at its highest…”
The Quietside Journal
“The… production…was irresistibly charming—funny, touching, and genuinely human.”
The Mount Desert Islander
“…contagiously energetic and passionate conductor, Eric Mahl…”
The Mount Desert Islander
“This cast left its audience in awe of its well-placed talent and charmed by its impressive delivery.
The Mount Desert Islander
“Sarah Joyce Cooper delivers this marathon of a role as though she was written for her, with a rich and robust tone.”
The Mount Desert Islander
Our Cast
Adina
Nemorino
Belcore
Dr. Dulcamara
Giannetta
Creative Team
Conductor
Stage Director
Chorus Master
Orchestra and Chorus
Orchestra
Violin I
Nicholas Pappone, Concertmaster
Violin II
Taya Ricker
Viola
Adam Kramer
Cello
Bass
Flute
Allison Kiger
Piccolo
Allison Kiger
Clarinet
Eric Thomas
Trumpet
William Gregory
Piano
Brendon Shapiro
Timpani
Gregory Landes
Harp
Phoebe Durand
Chorus
Chana Freedberg
Lexie Henkel
Lexie Winch
Katie Beal
Carina Gatti
Rogan Winch
Supernumeraries/ Actors
William Graves