Scottish Opera –The Elixir of Love,

Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love is a feel-good opera with a lighthearted tale of true love triumphing against the silliness of the odds that come its way. With its predictable ‘all’s well that ends well’ outcome, Scottish Opera’s revival of Giles Havergal’s production is an affectionate staging that is as skilfully cast this time round as when first seen in 1994. Elena Xanthoudakis, making her Scottish Opera debut in the role of Adina, performs Donizetti’s vocal gymnastics as if she sings them every day of her life (maybe she does?), while looking like a diminutive, pretty dancing doll twirling round atop a music box.

In contrast, Edgaras Montvidas as her ultimately successful lover, Nemorino, is a rural simpleton who sees life in black and white. Vocally, he is the less supple singer, but as a central character to Donizetti’s snapshot of rural, autumnal coloured Italian life, he is critical to the success of what goes on in the picture frame in which the production is set. As is the orchestra, who under the baton of Francesco Corti, move the story along in appropriately playful mood.

Scottish Opera, The Elixir of Love, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Sun 22, Thu 26 and Sat 28 Nov.