Bel canto genius Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (The elixir of love) will be presented by Cape Town Opera at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay from 13-16 October 2022.
This touring production has been made possible by the generosity of the Judith Neilson Head Trust, and moves to Cape Town after successful performances in Ermelo and Sasolburg last month.
True to the tradition of romantic comedy, L’elisir d’amore ticks all the requisite boxes of popular entertainment. The production will be directed by the company’s Artistic Director, Magdalene Minnaar, with a piano reduction of the orchestral score entrusted to pianist José Dias. Costume design is by Rabia Davids and Maritha Visagie, who also designs the set, while Fiona du Plooy is responsible for movement direction.
The cast features Puerto Rican tenor Juan Hernández as Nemorino, Brittany Smith as Adina, Conroy Scott as Doctor Dulcamara, Van Wyk Venter as Belcore and Linda Nteleza as Giannetta.
Magdalene Minnaar explains that, after Cape Town Opera’s joyful production of Le nozze di Figaro, the team decided to forge on with another comic opera as an antidote to the misery of Covid-19: “We want to offer our audiences colour, jokes and glorious melodies.” She adds that among these melodies are arias so popular that they will be familiar even to those who do not regularly follow opera. As for context, Minnaar states, “In our version of Elisir, we have created an Escher-esque dream world in which Adina is tested by the mad scientist and ‘encyclopedic doctor’ Dulcamara. He is an alchemist with a Frankensteinian flair for ingenious chemistry, which he uses to bend the rules of chance, thereby sculpting an alternate reality as a human experiment.”
Cape Town Opera’s bass-baritone CONROY SCOTT (pictured above), who plays the mischievous Doctor Dulcamara, shares his thoughts on opera:
How did you come to be an opera singer – what was your journey?
I’ve been involved in music from an early age, playing orchestral instruments, singing in the youth choir in the New Apostolic Church and later in the adult concert choir. After a conversation with my late friend George Stevens, I decided to pursue a career in opera, something I have always loved. I’m the only one in my family, extended or otherwise, who has pursued this passion.
Where do you school and study further?
I grew up in Atlantis in Cape Town, and completed my schooling there as well. I studied mechanical engineering at WP Technical College. My opera studies were done at UCT under the tutelage of Dr. Brad Liebl and Professor Virginia Davids.
You’ve been busy with the national tour of Cape Town Opera’s delightful L’elislr d’amore that has been very well received in Ermelo and Sasolburg. Tell us more about your role as the charming, scheming, mischievous Doctor Dulcamara.
My character is a bit of a mad scientist, an alchemist. He genuinely believes all the stories he tells people, exaggerated tales about his travels and so-called magic potions etc. He is definitely mischievous, a trait we see clearly in his Act 1 duet with Nemorino, played by the Puerto Rican tenor, Juan Hernández.
What is it about this opera that makes it so appealing?
Firstly, it’s definitely the music… utterly wonderful and with some of the most beautiful, well known melodies in opera. The set, lights and DEFINITELY my costume also make it a visual treat for all who come to see this colourful, humourous and lighthearted production.
What do you do for downtime?
I like to relax whilst listening to other genres of music, ranging from Hip Hop to Motown, to heavy metal like Black Sabbath. I do enjoy taking drives as well. But more important than anything else is spending time with my nine-month old son – the best downtime for me.
What: L’elisir d’amore (The elixir of love)
Where and when: Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay from 13-16 October 2022.
Tickets: Computicket
WS
