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Southern Miss Opera and Musical Theatre Company presents The Elixir of Love

Tue, 03/26/2019 - 09:04am | By: Mike Lopinto

The Elixir of Love will be performed on April 4th and 6th at USM.

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Opera and Musical Theatre Company proudly presents Donizetti's opera comedy The Elixir of Love (L'elisir d'amore) on April 4 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mannoni Performing Arts Center Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus.

The Elixir of Love tells the love story of the poor peasant Nemorino who pines for the indifferent but beautiful Adina. Inspired by the legendary tale of Tristan and Isolde, Nemorino acquires “the elixir of love” (cheap wine) from a travelling con man to win Adina's affection. Many hijinks ensue, but love triumphs in the end.

With direction by Jonathan Yarrington and musical direction by Ivan del Prado, the opera stars Analynn Sober (Adina), David Walker (Nemorino), Olivia Morrow (Gianetta), O'Neil Jones (Belcore), Josh Cook (Dr. Dulcamara), Danielle Watson, and Allen Holifield.

“One of the true miracles behind Elixir [of Love] is how Donizetti…distills his own artistic elixir,” stated Thomas May of the San Francisco Opera in an essay on the opera. “[He] transforms an innocuously predictable romantic comedy and a pattern of operatic expectations into a work of freshly stirring beauty.”

Despite being written in less than 2 months, The Elixir of Love is one of the most performed operas in the world. The tenor aria “Una furtiva lagrima” alone is frequently played in concert halls.

For tickets, call either (800) 844-8425 or (601) 266-5418, or go to southernmisstickets.com.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael Miles at (601) 266-4001.