Kyle Ketelsen as the carnation-wearing Dulcamara (from left), Ailyn Perez as Adina and Joshua Hopkins as Belcore are shown in a scene from “The Elixir of Love” at Lyric Opera of Chicago. The quack doctor, Dulcamara (Kyle Ketelsen), descends from the sky in a hot air balloon. Nemorino’s rival for Adina, the handsome naval captain Belcore (Joshua Hopkins), blows into port on a zippy silver moped. Tourists in 1950s fashion - the women in mid-calf Chanel suits, full-skirted sun dresses and kitten-heeled shoes, the men in Panama hats and comfortable suits - lounge at the tables, smoking, drinking and reading newspapers. A striped canvas roof shelters the large patio set with airy, white metal chairs and tables. In this production Adina (Ailyn Pérez) owns the chic, beachside Hotel Adina. “Elixir of Love” had its premiere in 1832, but Lyric’s version, first seen at England’s Opera North, dispenses with both happy peasants and aristocratic period flourishes. NOTE: For Lyric Opera’s COVID-19 safety protocols please visit .ĭirector Daniel Slater, designer Robert Innes Hopkins and conductor Enrique Mazzola clearly have a united, nuanced vision of this updating of the story of Nemorino, a poor waiter, pining after Adina, the town beauty.
