The Elixir of Love written by Marcus Shields

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2 The Elixir of Love written by Marcus Shields Cast Heidi Middendorf, soprano as Adina Reilly Nelson, mezzo-soprano as Dulcamara Ben Lee, tenor as Nemorino Jose Rubio, baritone as Belcore Creative Team Andreas Hager, director Milena Treer, tour manager Lindsey Purvis, set designer Heather Merchant, costume designer For Cincinnati Opera Kemper Florin, director of education and engagement Glenn Plott, director of production Jemannie Luong, community relations and education associate Sponsors Charles H. Dater Foundation

3 What is Opera? Most people think opera is some big lady, wearing horns, singing really loud. While sometimes that is the case, opera is much, much more! Opera is a story told through music. The music is accompanied by an orchestra. Opera singers are able to project their voices so that they can sing over the orchestra and to audiences. Opera singers train for many years in order to be able to sing like this. Opera began in 1597 in Italy. Over the last few centuries, opera has evolved throughout the world. It is so popular and exciting because it is an art form that combines visual art (sets, costumes, lighting), drama (the story, acting), dance (sometimes even a full ballet) and music (the orchestra, the singing). Opera stories are based on myths, folktales, works of literature, biblical stories, fantasy, and real-life stories. Operas are written in many languages, the most popular are Italian, German and French. Operas are also written in English, Czech, Russian, and Mandarin Chinese. Even if you don t speak the language of the opera, you will know what is going on by watching the projected surtitles above the stage. Singers who perform in operas have different voice types. Principals are the singers who have leading roles. The group of singers who assist the action are called the Chorus. Sometimes, a children s chorus helps to tell the story. Most opera s also use Supernumeraries or supers. These actors are like movie extras: they do not sing but serve an important purpose on stage like carrying the Princess or serving as Guardsmen. Singers and Supers aren t the only important participants in an opera. There is also the stage director, costume designer, lighting designer, and set designer. All of the designers work as a team to help to create an opera. Once the opera finishes rehearsal and everything moves on stage, the maestro or conductor makes sure that the orchestra and the singers are working together. The stage manager is in charge of telling everyone where to move when including all of the stage hands. Opera is special because it takes so many people to make it work. When you put all of the elements together, you have an opera, which is a delight and spectacle for the eyes and ears! We hope you enjoy your visit from the opera!

4 Glossary of Terms Aria: A solo song in an opera. This song has a clear beginning, middle and end. Bravo: Italian for Excellent, called out by audience members after a significantly spectacular performance. (Brava for a female, Bravi for a group) Chorus: A group of singers who sing and act as a group, either in unison or in harmony; any musical number written for such a group. Conductor: The musical director of the opera. He or She is in control of the orchestra and the singers. See also MAESTRO Forte: Italian for strong, used to define a loud dynamic in the music. Libretto: The text of an opera Maestro: Italian for Master, the title used for the conductor. (For females: Maestra) Opera: A story told through music. (While many operas are entirely sung, some operas like The Magic Flute have spoken text as well) Overture: A piece of music played by the orchestra at the beginning of the opera. Piano: Italian for flat or low, used in music to mean softly or quietly. Principals: Singers who have leading roles Recitative: A style of singing that is like speaking, but uses the singing voice. Can be either accompanied or unaccompanied. Usually conveys the action of the story. Timbre: The color of the sound. Described with words such as warm, bright, and smooth.

5 Operatic Voices SOPRANO: the highest female voice. In opera, the soprano is usually the heroine; the high, bright sound of the soprano suggests youth, innocence, and virtue. MEZZO SOPRANO: the middle female voice. The mezzo sound is darker and warmer than that of a soprano. In opera, composers generally use the mezzo voice to suggest a maternal type, the female antagonist, or as a seductive heroine. Mezzo sopranos are also used to portray a young male character in the opera, also known as a pants role. CONTRALTO: the lowest woman s voice. The deep grandeur of a contralto s voice usually has her cast as an older female possessing great wisdom, or possibly as a witch. TENOR: the highest male voice. In opera, the tenor is usually the hero and/or the romantic interest. BARITONE: the middle male voice. In tragic opera, the baritone is usually the villain. In comic opera, he may be found as the ringleader of the hijinks. BASS: the lowest male voice. The bass voice is similar to a trombone or bassoon in range and color. Low voices usually connote age and wisdom in serious opera. In comic opera, a bass can often be heard singing older, foolish, and laughable characters. In addition to these vocal categories, there are certain terms that can be used to describe any range of voice, where applicable. Coloratura: a voice having the ability to sing many notes quickly, usually with an extended upper range. Lyric: a light to medium weight voice, capable of sustained, but not forceful singing. Spinto: a medium to heavy voice, capable of sustained and forceful singing. Dramatic: the heaviest voice, capable of sustained and forceful singing over a large orchestra.

6 Elixir of Love Synopsis Adina and Nemorino are two high schoolers working at a local chili shop part-time. Nemorino has been madly in love with Adina for some time, but has never told her. One day, during break, Adina reads the story of Tristan and Isolde and learns of how Tristan won Isolde's affection with a love potion. Adina discusses the book with friend and frequent diner, Dulcamara. Nemorino overhears their conversation and mistakenly thinks Adina is talking about a real love potion. Just then Belcore, a popular but pushy classmate, arrives to profess his love for Adina. Nemorino sees this happening and begins to panic. He pulls Dulcamara away for advice. Dulcamara, a smart but tricky girl, tells Nemorino she has just the thing for his sticky situation: a love potion. Little does Nemorino know, this love potion is actually just a bottle of chili and extra spicy hot sauce. Nemorino happily buys the potion from Dulcamara and chugs the whole bottle down. Strengthened by the mixture, he interrupts Belcore to charm Adina with his newfound macho attitude. However, Adina is not enjoying this new Nemorino. Just as she is about to slap him, Belcore reappears and Adina agrees to be his girlfriend in attempt to get back at Nemorino. Nemorino, furious and disbelieving of the situation, begins to then taunt Adina and Belcore to the point where neither want anything more to do with him. Nemorino suddenly realizes that Dulcamara has tricked him the love potion wasn t real. Dejected and saddened, Nemorino eats more chili and falls into a restless food coma. While sleeping, he dreams that Adina will fall in love with him if he buys her a present, but when he wakes up, he realizes he has no more money. Sad and alone, Nemorino is about to give up when Belcore suddenly agrees to lend him $20 the catch, however, is that Nemorino will have to work away from Adina at the Covington branch. Nemorino agrees anyways and rushes off to buy a present when Dulcamara walks in with flowers. Nemorino begs her to let him buy the flowers from her. Dulcamara says she will sell them to him, only if he agrees to stop acting like a jerk. Nemorino is so happy that he hugs her and give her a kiss on the cheek. At that very moment, Adina walks in. Angered by what she sees, she storms off and Nemorino chases after her. In a final act of love, they both profess their feelings for one another. Adina tells Belcore the news, to which he simply shrugs and says, there s plenty of fish in the sea. All s well that ends well in with the Elixir of Love.

7 Crossword Complete the following crossword puzzle of operatic terms.

8 Cincinnati Opera T-I-M-E-S We want to know what you thought of Cincinnati Opera s production of The Elixir of Love. Imagine that you are a new journalist in town and just secured your first job as a writer for Cincinnati Opera Times. Take a moment and write an article reviewing The Elixir of Love. Be sure to include elements such as cast, voice types, props, costumes, etc. Headline: By: Classical Music Critic Date:

9 Mille Grazie! That means Thanks a million! in Italian. Thank you so much for letting us visit and perform for you at your school. Below, write a letter if you d like to say Mille Grazie! back to the wonderful cast of the Elixir of Love.