L’elisir d’amore
Act II
Act II commences with Belcore reaffirming his preoccupation with women and wine, and Adina’s wish to torment Nemorino.
Dulcamara’s duet with Adina is, of course, an appropriate commentary on the relationship between Adina and Nemorino; albeit accidentally selected by the character. Explore the diction directions given by Castel regarding Tredenti. Dulcamara relishes in the compliments of the crowd and feels perfectly comfortable in proclaiming himself a “professor [master] of all the arts” (including singing).
The arrival of the notary makes Belcore happy, but Adina’s only verbal reaction is again being angrily upset that Nemorino is not there. It seems almost surprising that Belcore is attentive enough to notice something is not quite right with her, although he does not pursue any further when she answers that nothing is wrong. There might be an opportunity for comic indifference on Belcore’s part here.
Although he arrives after the Adina and Belcore have left with the notary, Nemorino did, in fact, see the notary and arrives distraught. With “voi qui, dottore!”, is Nemorino surprised to see the doctor, or simply relieved?
Dulcamara obviously sees the opportunity for another sale of elixir, but more importantly feels a pressure to get himself away as quickly as possible. Obviously the prospect of making the sale before his getaway is more enticing than simply telling Nemorino he has no more elixir, or that it cannot work so quickly.
Why does Belcore enter alone? Obviously he is puzzled and unhappy that Adina has asked to postpone until the evening, but it begs the question as to how that scene unfolded. The two left with the notary and a crowd of well wishers, so what happened and how did it transpire? Just how embarrassed, angry, humiliated…is Belcore at this moment? If nothing else, his ego has surely taken a critical blow, despite being convinced still that Adina loves him. Perhaps in his interaction with Nemorino he does see an opportunity to make himself feel better by feeling he may bully the idiot boy. When describing the joys of consorting with the “vivandieres”, how much is a persuasion tactic and how much is genuine on Belcore’s part? Considering how easily Belcore lets Adina go later, it seems he must be perfectly happy with the lifestyle he is describing to Nemorino.
Discuss with Michael whether or not to insert “sai scrivere?/No./Bestia!” It is not necessary, but could be used to better define the emotional state of the characters in the moment.
When Nemorino says “you don’t know who has caused me to take this step”, etc.., is he speaking to Belcore? Does Belcore really have no idea of Nemorino’s obsession with Adina? He seems not to care about it, but if Belcore is known so well to all in the town, including Nemorino and Adina then surely he must be aware. After all, Belcore just said “I’ve recruited my rival.” Perhaps this is Nemorino’s own naïveté at play again.
Giannetta’s dialogue in this opera does not give us a lot of information about her, so most will have to be provided with imagination and the construction of a back-story. She tells her friends to keep secret the fact that Nemorino has become wealthy, obviously because she intends to make a play for him now herself. Yes, she does not appear to be threatened enough by her friends to want to keep it secret from them.
Very interesting that Dulcamara, of all people, is the first to think the most logical explanation for Nemorino’s sudden popularity is his elixir for Bordeaux.
Giannetta and the other girls seem to display a bit of venom toward Adina once they realize she remains their primary rival for Nemorino’s affections. Seems obvious as to why, but interesting to see “costei s’immagina d’aver l’omaggio”. Seems a bit catty.
In the dialogue between Dulcamara and Adina, is Dulcamara convinced now of the power of his elixir or not? He seems to be, but he is also trying to make a sale. When she fails to fall for it, he does say “she is more clever than you.” Adina, rightfully, knows that the “elixir [which owns Nemorino’s heart] is her face and in her eyes”. She seems truly relieved to know that Nemorino still swoons for her only, but her sudden proclamations of love for him hardly can succeed in making us forget all she has said before.
Nemorino does, at least momentarily, enjoy the idea that, for once, he has made Adina feel a pang of jealousy. He wishes to continue playing the indifferent one until she confesses her love to him. It works.
Once Belcore dismisses Adina, Dulcamara is quick to jump on an opportunity to sell the elixir. Does Belcore fall go for it as all the villagers do? If he did, it could be an excellent underlining of his “true” insecurity. Perhaps, in the flurry of activity, to ask Dulcamara to discretely slip him a bottle.[?] Dulcamara, in fact, replies to Belcore’s comment that the world is full of thousands of women by saying “Ve lo dara questo elisir d’amore [they will be given to you with this elixir of love]”. This is obviously directed to Belcore. Dulcamara then continues the pitch by saying the elixir makes even the most hideous creatures attractive. Is this also intended as a subtle shot at Belcore??? I hope so!
Q: In the subsequent praises of Dulcamara, what does Adina mean when she said “per lui solo io son felice!” ? It is clear that Nemorino credits the doctor for his winning of Adina, but Adina never seemed to believe in the elixir. Is she basically thanking the doctor for giving Nemorino the self-confidence that she has now fallen in love with? Possible.
Belcore’s final blast might disinherit the idea of him secretly buying a bottle of the elixir for himself, but not necessarily. He may still wish to reap the advantages of the potion while still cursing Dulcamara for foiling his plans to wed Adina.
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