the elixir of love 2020 · • 2 boys or girls (4th grade or higher) to be soldiers #3 and #4...

The Holt Building 221 Lambert Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306 Telephone 650-843-3900 Box Office 650-424-9999 WBOpera.org

The Elixir of Love

2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Assembly Coordinator’s Checklist p. 2 Assembly Coordinator’s Roadmap – Student Volunteer Opps. p. 3 Road Map for Teachers p. 4 MATERIALS FOR OLDER STUDENTS p. 6 Pre-Performance Classroom Study – The Elixir of Love Glossary of opera terms and professions p. 7 Donizetti bio and Synopsis of The Elixir of Love p.12 Student Script for Dialogues p.18 Word Search The Elixir of Love p.24 CrossWord - The Elixir of Love p.25 Optional Chorus Sheet Music – The Elixir of Love "My elixir is perfection…" p.28 Post-Performance Classroom Study – The Elixir of Love p.29

MATERIALS FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS p.30 Primary Reader: The Story of the Elixir of Love p.31 Coloring Book Sketches p.32-45

MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS ONLY p.36 Post-Performance Discussion and Quiz ANSWERS p.37 CrossWord ANSWERS p.39 Word Search ANSWERS p.40 Evaluation Form p.41

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Nov 2019 The Elixir of Love - Assembly Coordinator’s Checklist Page 1 of 1

The Elixir of Love Assembly Coordinator's Checklist

In order to facilitate the smooth running of the Opera in the Schools performance of The Elixir of Love in your school, we would like to suggest that you make sure that the following things have been addressed prior to the day of the performance.

1. ___ The date and time of the performance, as provided in the cover letter, agree with what is shown on the school calendar.

2. ___ An announcement of the performance has been placed in the school newsletter. PLEASE NOTE: The packet contains a ready-to-go announcement. If you prefer to edit it, or need text and an image for a web-based newsletter, there is a Word version downloadable from our website at www.wbopera.org. Click on the FOR KIDS tab at the top.

3. ___ Classroom materials (mailed or hand-delivered to you or the school principal as a complete packet) have been distributed to all the appropriate teachers. All materials in the packet are also available online for download from the OITS page of the West Bay Opera website: www.wbopera.org. Click on the FOR KIDS tab at the top.

4. ___ If your school has chosen to prepare the optional chorus parts, the sheet music (in the packet) has been distributed to the appropriate teachers, and teachers have been alerted to download the mp3 sound files from www.wbopera.org, to help the students prepare.

5. ___ If there are scripted roles for students (THERE ARE SEVERAL FOR THE ELIXIR OF LOVE-but they are easy to learn!) the scripts have been provided to the person coordinating the volunteer student actors.

6. ___ The piano has been checked, all the keys and the pedals work. It is in tune, and there is a piano bench. Otherwise, OITS personnel can bring an electronic keyboard, but there is an extra charge and you need to request it by calling the OITS Coordinator at least 10 days before the performance date.

7. ___ A parking spot near the performance space, on the day of the performance, has been reserved through the school office, for use by the OITS staff to load and unload the set and props for the show.

8. ___ The Custodian/Janitor has been informed that the performance space must be available at least one hour before performance time. The space must include a large folding table for props and 10 folding chairs for student volunteers. The space must be clear of any clutter and swept clean. Dust can affect singers' voices.

West Bay Opera appreciates your help in organizing the performance and acting as liaison for the school. Your help makes the performance and the educational experience for the children possible. Thank you!

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Nov 2019 Student Volunteer Opportunities and Custodial Help Needed - Page 1 of 1

The Elixir of Love

ASSEMBLY COORDINATOR’s ROAD MAP STUDENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

AND CUSTODIAL HELP NEEDED HELP WITH SETS -- One of our singers will be arriving at the school about 1 hour before performance time to set up the stage. We request that a custodian be available in case unusual circumstances require help. A volunteer will call in advance of the performance to be sure that all the arrangements are in order. Please let the volunteers know if there are any special concerns with parking or dropping off the set. Though the set is very portable, it is extremely helpful to have access as close as possible to the stage or performance area.

PROPS NEEDED – a piano (in tune) and bench, a table at the back of the stage area to hold costumes and props and, if available, 10 chairs onstage for the student volunteers to sit on. The performance area should be clean and free of clutter.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION - Some children are incorporated as actors into each performance of The Elixir of Love. The student actors should report for training with the OITS cast 45 minutes before the performance. All student actors must be chosen from the 4th Grade or higher. It is helpful if these children are good at following instructions on the spot. If there are two performances, all student parts must be single-cast, i.e. played by the same student at both performances. There is not enough time to rehearse two sets of students prior to the performance. We will provide costumes and props for the children.

For this production the following roles will be cast:

• 4 girls (4th grade or higher) to be Gianetta, Lauretta, Marietta, and Nannetta to serve as friends of Adina’s (speaking parts)

• 1 boy or girl (4th grade or higher) to be Hercules, assistant to Dr. Dulcamara (speaking part)

• 2 boys or girls (4th grade or higher) to be Soldiers #1 and #2 (speaking parts) • 2 boys or girls (4th grade or higher) to be Soldiers #3 and #4 (Supernumeraries,

non-speaking parts) Many schools hold auditions to choose actors for the speaking parts; this is a good way to discover which students have the volume, clarity of diction, and aptitude to portray these roles. It is important that each volunteer know which role he or she is to perform and have memorized the dialogue for that role. Chorus (optional) - The chorus may be a group of any size but advance preparation is required. The teacher’s packet includes the sheet music to be practiced. In addition, there are recorded music mp3s downloadable from our website to help the students practice the chorus parts.

If your school has scheduled two consecutive assemblies, there may be two separate choruses. If there are two separate choruses, each group should report 15 minutes before its performance time to get instructions, and to rehearse the music with our accompanist.

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11/27/19 The Elixir of Love – Road Map for Teachers Page 1 of 2

ASSEMBLY PROGRAM

(45 minutes)

The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti

ROAD MAP FOR TEACHERS

About the production: This is an abridged, 45-minute English language version of Donizetti’s opera The Elixir of Love (a 2 ½ hour work originally written in Italian.) This version is especially prepared for young students and it features the best music from this very special work. There are only three professional opera singers, covering several roles each. The performers will be in costume and they will bring with them portable, hand-painted sets, to be used as backdrop scenery for the performance. In this production, the children will hear some of the elements outlined in the Classroom Study Material, such as arias, duets, and coloratura. The music will be sung by three of the major voice types: soprano (Adina and Giannetta); tenor (Nemorino); and baritone (Belcore and Dulcamara). They will be accompanied by a pianist who substitutes for the orchestra. Some of the students’ classmates, as arranged by the assembly coordinator, will be featured in the performance as actors (speaking parts), and supernumeraries (non-speaking parts) See glossary of terms in the Classroom Study Material. Instructions for the student volunteers are included in this packet. They will need to be available for training about an hour before the performance. We really encourage the children’s participation in the question-and-answer session at the end of the performance. This part can be shortened for younger children. What’s in the Classroom Study Material Packet? In the front of the packet you will find materials for the older children, followed by materials for the younger children. In the very back are materials for teachers only. Here’s a detail:

The materials FOR OLDER CHILDREN include the following:


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Glossary of Opera Terms: the children can learn basic opera terminology and get a better sense of what an opera is, so when they see the production these concepts are clear and they can relate to them. Listing of Opera-Related Professions: we’d like the children to learn that it requires the talents of many different people to stage an opera besides that of the singers and musicians. This will deepen their appreciation for what they see onstage and give them an opportunity to see themselves perhaps doing some of those things in the future. Brief Biography of Donizetti: this is to give them a sense of the time period when the piece was composed and the degree of accomplishment of the composer. Synopsis: This is the story line of The Elixir of Love, which is an opportunity for the children to also learn and remember the names of the characters. Word Search and Crossword Puzzle: These are materials that can be used to test the children and ingrain the material. Answers are provided in the teachers’ portion of the packet. Sheet Music to My Elixir is Perfection: This is the one chorus number in our production of The Elixir of Love. The chorus is optional, but if you decide to have one, you must prepare the children in advance. In addition to the sheet music, there are recorded music mp3s available for download from our website at www.wbopera.org/oits. Those include several versions: the piano accompaniment alone, the voice part notes played on the piano alone, and a version with both the singing and the piano accompaniment, to make it easy for the children to practice and learn the part, especially if they are doing it as homework. After Performance Discussion Questions and Quiz: These are self -explanatory

The materials FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN include the following:

Primary Reader: A shortened version of the story line of The Elixir of Love. Coloring Book: Four pages with drawings of the five main characters in our production of The Elixir of Love: Adina, Nemorino, Belcore and Dulcamara.

The materials FOR TEACHERS ONLY include the following:

Answers to the Word Search and Crossword Puzzle: these are self-explanatory Key to Answers: These are answers to the After Performance questions and to the Quiz. Teacher’s Evaluation Form: This is your opportunity to give us feedback so we can know what we are doing well and what we can improve upon. Please take a moment to complete the form after the performance.

ALL MATERIALS are available for download at www.wbopera.org. Click on the FOR KIDS tab at the top.

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MATERIALS FOR OLDER STUDENTS

Pre-Performance Classroom Study Donizetti Biography The Elixir of Love Synopsis The Elixir of Love Script for Student Actors “My Elixir is Perfection” (optional) chorus - sheet music “My Elixir is Perfection” practice mp3s (download from website) The Elixir of Love Word Search The Elixir of Love Crossword Post-Performance Classroom Study

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11/27/19 The Magic Flute Page 1 of 5

CLASSROOM STUDY MATERIAL For before the performance of

THE ELIXIR LOVE Please use the material below to prepare your students for the assembly. Any preparation you provide the students will enhance their enjoyment and appreciation of the performance. A glossary of opera terminology is given below followed by a description of some of the career opportunities found in opera. GLOSSARY OF OPERA TERMS What is opera? Opera is a story which is sung to music. The stories are often very dramatic, sometimes sad, and sometimes funny. It is the most complex of all the arts, because it is a combination of all of them. The performers must have beautiful singing voices and must be able to act, as well. Since operas have been written by people all over the world, the singers must learn several different languages. Besides the singing, operas require an orchestra. - also there must be talented people to create the stage sets, props, lighting, and sound effects, as well as costumes, makeup, and wigs for all the performers. In opera, people are often singing about what they are “thinking”. This is very difficult to do in a play. One of the unique things in opera is that several people can be singing about their separate thoughts at the same time. This is impossible in a spoken play. People started writing what we now call opera almost 400 years ago! As it became more and more popular, special theaters were built for the productions. Since there was no television or radio, the opera house became a popular meeting place, and operas were like the Broadway shows of the time. It was not uncommon for people to hum tunes from operas on the street. These days complete operas are occasionally shown on television, and there are subtitles or supertitles in English for those of us who don’t understand the language being sung. Operas are also available on video for home enjoyment. What are the different types of songs in opera? Aria: A song sung by one person. Duet: A song sung by two people at the same time. Trio: A song sung by three people at the same time. Quartet: A song sung by four people at the same time.

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Groups of singers such as duet, trios and quartets, are called ensembles. What are the different types of voices in opera?

Soprano: A female high voice Mezzo Soprano: A female medium voice

Contralto: A female low voice Tenor: A male high voice Baritone: A male medium voice Bass: A male low voice What kinds of stories are found in operas? Some operas are very dramatic and may even have a sad ending, and some operas are comedies. Some opera stories are about imaginary gods and goddesses, and more modern ones are often based on the lives of real people and real events. What is an Accompanist? An accompanist is a person who plays the piano so that a singer can sing along with the music. He/she takes the place of an orchestra in rehearsals or in performances where an orchestra is not available. What is an Overture? An overture is a musical introduction to an opera. There is no singing during the overture, although it introduces melodies that will be heard later in the opera. What is Recitative? (Pronounced re-si-ta-teev) Recitative is singing that sounds half way between ordinary speech and singing. The words are recited in rising and falling tones and with a rhythm similar to speaking, but there is a pitch to each syllable. Arias are usually melodic and beautiful, but the words are often poetic and usually are not enough to tell the whole story. So, in opera, recitative is used to advance the storyline in between arias or ensembles. What is the Set? A set or scenery is the name given to the make-believe surroundings used onstage to present a play or an opera. A Set Designer designs the sets. Presenting an opera onstage also involves special lighting, which is created by a lighting designer. Different from movies, stage productions are not intended to be perfectly realistic. Instead, they aim to create an atmosphere or feeling, to bring the audience into the story. OITS brings simple portable sets to these school performances, to create a backdrop for the action, and the students fill in the rest using their own imagination. What are Costumes? Costumes are the clothes worn by singers and actors onstage. A Costume Designer designs the costumes. The set designer and the costume designer work together to design sets and costumes that will be coordinated in style and color and fit in with the time period in which the story of the opera takes place. What is a Pants Role? The role of a young boy is often sung by a mezzo-soprano, since a young boy’s voice would not be strong enough. The mezzo’s voice is slightly lower than that of a soprano.

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What is a Patter Song? A patter song is a song with a lot of syllables sung in very quick rhythm. What is Coloratura? A song decorated with trills, grace notes, and technically difficult vocal passages. What are Properties or “Props”? Props are objects used onstage by singers or actors other than the set or costumes; for example, a broom or a glass of water. Everything that happens on stage is make-believe. If the prop is something potentially dangerous, like a gun or sword, it has to be made harmless before it can be used onstage. For example, a sword’s edge is dulled and a gun barrel is filled up with putty. What is a Supernumerary? A supernumerary (or super) is a person who has a small acting (non-singing) part in an opera and usually serves as a volunteer, without pay, just for the love of being part of the show. In West Bay Opera’s OITS program that you’re going to see, some of your classmates will be “supers”. What are Supertitles and Subtitles? These are the words of the story in English, projected onto a screen above or to the side of the stage as the performers sing. This is to help the audience to understand the story more clearly, since most operas are sung in a foreign language. When opera is shown on TV, the words are at the bottom of the screen and are called subtitles. To get the most enjoyment from an opera, the audience should also read the libretto (story) at home before attending the opera. Do opera lovers like every opera? Definitely not! Just like watching movies and TV shows, people like some and not others. There are so many different types of operas that people are bound to have favorite ones and maybe not care for some at all. There are many different styles of music and types of stories from which to choose. So one should be adventurous and listen to a variety. In what languages are operas sung? Most operas these days are sung in the language in which they were originally written, usually Italian, German or French. There are also many operas written in Russian and some written in English, Czech and Spanish, as well. Operas that were written in English are performed in English. West Bay Opera’s OITS program will present its “mini-operas” to you in English, even though they were written in other languages.

OPERA-RELATED PROFESSIONS Opera is not just about singers. It’s a for of theater. It takes a great deal of knowledge, training and talent to put together an opera. Opera is the most complex of ALL the performing art forms, because it involves MANY different crafts and skills. Here are some of the most prominent occupations involved in producing an opera. Perhaps you will take an interest in one of these areas and some day you will want to work in opera. A Librettist (author) writes the story (called the libretto). This is similar to the script for a movie or play, but the words are not as conversational as in

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A Composer writes the music. A Conductor rehearses and prepares the production musically and leads the orchestra, principal singers and chorus in performance. The conductor leads the whole performance, giving it energy and shape and keeping the performers together, making sure instruments play and singers sing at the right moments and with the right volume of sound and expression; that ensembles sing together and, in general, that the sound produced by the orchestra closely supports and enhances the dramatic action that is happening onstage. An Orchestra plays the music (sometimes there are only a few musicians; sometimes as many as 80 or 90, depending on the opera). A Stage Director rehearses the singers, chorus, supers and dancers as to how to move onstage and how to “act” their roles. The performers have to memorize all of this in order to perform their roles. That’s what they do in rehearsals. A Stage Manager runs backstage crew like a general commanding his troops in battle. He or she calls the cues (signals for action) for lighting changes and scene shifts, alerting chorus and principal singers about when they are supposed to come onstage, and initiating special effects like smoke or snow at the exact moment when they are supposed to happen in the opera. He or she is responsible for running the show onstage exactly the way the stage director planned it. A Set Designer creates a design for the set, and it requires carpenters and painters to build and finish it. Some things work like a machine (maybe a dragon or a boat), and may require mechanics or electricians to build them. The set designer also works with a Projections Designer on video and still images that are projected as part of the set. A Lighting Designer decides what type of lighting should be used to make the set look its best and to create special effects (such as lightning). Electricians are also necessary to implement the lighting design. A Costume Designer designs the costumes, intended to look like what people wore at the time the story takes place. It takes many people to cut the fabric and sew the costumes. Since singers usually have to get dressed in a rush, wardrobe people (called dressers) help them. Costume designers also design headpieces and hats for the performers, sometimes requiring hat makers to build them. Shoe makers are also often involved in building special period shoes and boots for operas. A Wig Designer creates wigs for the performers to complete their costume. A Make-up Artist must apply make-up to each performer, so they look right. Otherwise, the bright lighting onstage would make them look very pale. Language Coaches help the singers during rehearsals learn how to pronounce words correctly, when they have to sing in a foreign language.

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Vocal Coaches, accompany singers on the piano in private rehearsals or coachings, to help the singers learn and practice their parts. Dancers are part of many operas that include ballet numbers. When ballet numbers are called for in an opera, there is typically a Choreographer, who creates the dance numbers (the specific moves and steps) to be performed. Supernumeraries or Supers are actors who do not sing but appear on stage in non-speaking parts. They are often seen as the maids and valets of the principal singers, but they can also be part of a crowd or they can be acrobats or help with changes in sets or furniture that are happening onstage during the performance. Stage Hands and Prop Handlers put all the sets, furniture and props into place onstage. Set changes usually have to happen very quickly. It takes expert coordination to get everything done fast in the time available. A Props Designer is responsible for the tables, chairs, lamps, swords, and other items that are used or carried by characters onstage in an opera, but which are not considered part of the set. The Props Designer must either make or obtain the props, keep track of them, and have them onstage at the right time. Props or Properties are divided into scene and hand props. A scene prop is an object that sits on the stage and is placed in one location; typically, a piece of furniture, like a lamp. A hand prop is an object that a performer carries on stage and uses in acting the part he is performing, such as a fan. Sound Designers and Sound Effects people take care of making special noises in the opera, such as thunder, a cannon blast or a creaking door opening. An Artistic Director or sometimes a General Director, is responsible for deciding which operas to stage each season, selecting the singers, musicians and other artists, hiring the conductors, directors and designers, making sure that everyone is working together and that the final product is of very good quality. A Production Manager is responsible for ensuring that sets, costumes, props and all other onstage components of the opera are produced on time and on budget, to the exact specifications provided by the designers. The Administration Staff handles many functions, such as writing contracts for the artists, scheduling rehearsals, doing publicity, selling tickets, paying people after the show is done and many business details. These are some of the most prominent roles for people involved in producing an opera, and there are many others who work behind the scenes to make things run smoothly.

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Biography of

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

composer of The Elixir of Love

Donizetti was born in Bergamo, in northern Italy, in 1797. His family was poor, but he was able to study music at the local conservatory, and later went on to Bologna for further study. Donizetti was primarily a composer of operas, with 75 operas to his credit, although he also wrote a small amount of church music and works for small orchestra. Today, much of Donizetti's reputation is based on his comic operas, The Elixir of Love, Don Pasquale, and The Daughter of the Regiment, although, perhaps his best-known work is the tragic opera Lucia di Lammermoor, with its famous mad scene. Like many composers of his day, he wrote works for the great opera theaters in Italy, in addition to Paris and Vienna, most of them tragedies or stories based on historical characters. Along with Rossini and Bellini, Donizetti wrote operas in the bel canto ("beautiful singing") style - his operas are very tuneful, and show off the beauty of the human voice. Donizetti's personal life was not very happy. Although he was generous, easygoing, and well-liked, when he was about 40, he lost his parents, his wife, and a daughter. He never recovered from this triple blow. Though he lived another twelve years, he was ill and gradually lost his sanity.

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The Elixir of Love by

Gaetano Donizetti Libretto by Felice Romani

Abbreviated Version for the Opera In The Schools Program

SYNOPSIS (the story of the opera)

Cast (the characters) ADINA (soprano) – wealthy owner of a farm NEMORINO (tenor) – a young peasant BELCORE (baritone) – a sergeant DULCAMARA (comic baritone) – a quack doctor GIANNETTA, LAURETTA, MARIETTA, and NANNETTA – friend of Adina Student volunteer (speaking part) HERCULES – Dulcamara’s assistant Student volunteer (speaking part) SOLDIERS #1 and #2 Student volunteers (speaking part) SOLDIERS #3 and #4 Student-volunteer supernumeraries PIANISTS: Bruce Olstad, Michael Touchi By the time The Elixir of Love (L’elisir d’amore) was first performed in 1832, Donizetti had already written 39 operas. He was famous for composing quickly. The Elixir of Love was written in about two weeks. The text (libretto) of the opera, written by the Italian poet, Felice Romani, was based on a French opera called Le Philtre, by Auber. The version of The Elixir of Love to be presented by West Bay Opera’s Opera in the Schools Program follows the original story, but it has been abbreviated for classroom use. The school version begins with a short musical introduction of the four main characters: Dr. Dulcamara, a traveling salesman (comic baritone); Adina, a smart young woman who owns the largest farm in the village (soprano); Nemorino, a shy and somewhat awkward young man in love with Adina (tenor); and Sergeant Belcore, a swaggering military man who is also in love with Adina (baritone).

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As the story begins, Adina is reading to her friend Giannetta. Nemorino shyly watches them from a distance. Adina reads aloud a romantic about a knight named Tristan who was so in love with the beautiful Queen Isolda that he drank a magic potion that made him irresistible to her. A march is heard, and Sgt. Belcore enters with some soldiers. Confident of his charms, he goes directly to Adina and asks her to marry him. Adina puts off answering him, saying she will think about it. Nemorino has observed all of this, and is worried that Adina will go off with Belcore. He approaches Adina and tells her he loves her, but Adina tells him not to give himself illusions. She’s not ready to settle down. She leaves the stage as a fanfare is heard, announcing the arrival in town of Dr. Dulcamara, a traveling salesman. The Doctor, accompanied by his assistant, Hercules, sings a song advertising all the goodies he has to sell. His prize product is a magic potion, which he says in the answer to all problems. Nemorino remembers Adina’s story about a love potion and approaches Dulcamara to ask him if he has the love potion of Queen Isolda, the elixir which produces love and passion. Of course, says Dulcamara, it’s his exclusive product, and only fifty cents. Nemorino buys the potion (which is really just Gatorade) and drinks it. Just then Adina comes in, and Nemorino, confident that Adina will eventually fall in love with him now that he has drunk the “love potion,” sings and dances in a carefree way that baffles Adina, who just laughs at him. Sgt. Belcore comes back in and asks Adina if she has considered his offer of marriage. She surprises everyone, saying that they can be married that evening. Nemorino begs her to wait, thinking that by tomorrow, when the potion will have taken effect, she will be in love with him. But, just to be sure, Nemorino finds Dulcamara and begs him for some more elixir so the effect will take place immediately. Dulcamara tells him that first he has to come up with some money. Belcore meets Nemorino and, hearing, his problem, offers him twenty dollars cash if he joins the army immediately (which will get Nemorino safely out of the running for Adina). Nemorino, being desperate for money, accepts the offer, and runs back to Dulcamara to buy the potion. Meanwhile Giannetta has secretly found out that Nemorino’s rich uncle has died and left him all his money. She sees Nemorino and, instead of making fun of him, now that he’s rich, she invites him to a party. Nemorino assumes that his sudden popularity is because the potion is working, and he acts very happy. Adina mistakes the reason for why Nemorino is so happy as he is leaving, and decides that maybe he didn’t really love her after all. Dulcamara tells her it’s all because of his bottle of Queen Isolda’s magic elixir. He tells her how desperate Nemorino was to win the love of one special girl. Now Adina realizes that Nemorino has acted out of

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love for her, and she sees how cruel she has been to him. Dulcamara offers her some of the elixir, but she tells him she has a better way to win him back. They leave. Nemorino enters, lost in his thoughts about his future with Adina. Adina comes back and begs Nemorino not to join the army. She admits that she loves him. As they embrace, Sgt. Belcore enters with all the others. He is furious to see Adina in Nemorino’s arms but, when Adina tells him that she’s going to marry Nemorino, Belcore tries to save face, saying there are hundreds of girls waiting for a handsome soldier like him! Dulcamara informs Nemorino that he has inherited all his uncle’s property, and Dulcamara takes the credit, saying that, not only does his elixir bring happiness, but riches as well, as the opera comes to an end

MUSICAL NUMBERS

Cast Member Title as Sung in English (original Italian)

Nemorino - She’s a darling, I adore her (Quanto è bella, quanto è

cara)

Adina - Tristan adored Isolda (Della crudele Isotta)

Belcore - I have never met a girl yet (Come Paride vezzoso)

Nemorino/Adina - Only one moment, Adina… You’re the soul of my

existence (Ah! Te sola io vedo, io sento)

Dulcamara - Hello there! I greet you, O country folk! (Udite, udite, o

rustici)

Nemorio/Dulcamara - Oh doctor, you were saying… What I mean” (Voglio

dire)

Nemorino/Adina - Elixir of love, you’re mine now… She’s laughing at my

love for her (Esulti pur la bàrbara)

Belcore/Nemorino/Adina - My dearest, you heard it … Ah, please, Adina dear, you

must not do it (Adina credimi, te ne scongiuro)

Nemorino/Belcore - Twenty Dollars (Venti scudi)

Adina/Dulcamara - His was true love, and I despised it (Quanto amore! Ed

io spietata!)

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Adina/Dulcamara - With a look that’s warm and tender (Una tenera

occhiatina)

Nemorino - Soon I will hold you close to me (Una furtiva lagrima)

Nemorino/Adina There she is … Stay here and live in freedom (Prendi,

per me sei libero)

Dulcamara - My elixir is perfection (Ei corregge ogni difetto)

TEXT FOR DULCAMARA’S ARIA (“HELLO THERE!”)

Dr. Dulcamara will be singing a patter song, “Hello there!” when he tries to sell his elixir to the local townspeople. As explained in the glossary of opera terms in the classroom study material, a patter song, is one in which a LOT of words are sung to very FAST music. The song is very funny, but it may be difficult for the children to understand the words. It would be helpful to read the words to them BEFORE the performance, which will add to their enjoyment and the humor of this song. Perhaps they could even try to see how fast THEY can say a few of the lines! The words of the song are printed on the other side of this page.

DULCAMARA: HELLO, THERE! I GREET YOU, O COUNTRY FOLK! PAY ATTENTION, LISTEN CLOSELY! I HAVE TODAY A LINIMENT, MY SPECIAL PAIN RELIEVER: IT DOES AWAY WITH MICE AND RATS, AND ALSO WITH A FEVER. THIS SHAMPOO IS TREMENDOUS, THIS PERFUME IS STUPENDOUS. THE FORMULA’S A SECRET THIS IS KNOWN TO VERY FEW. YOU ATHLETES, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED: YOUR RUNNING SPEED WILL DOUBLE WHEN YOU BUY MY MAGIC TUBE SOCKS. (THEY’RE FASHIONABLE, TOO!) THERE’S POTS AND PANS AND TEDDY BEARS, AND PARROTS FROM PERU. I’VE GOT DESIGNER UNDERWEAR IN RED AND WHITE AND BLUE! A DOLLY FROM HAWAII WHO SAYS “HELLO” AND “BYE-EE – COME TRY THEM ALL AND BUY THEM ALL, THEY’RE GUARANTEED BY ME! HERE IT IS, MY MAGIC POTION THE DISCOVERY OF THE AGES!

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ALL THE WORLD KNOWS THAT I NEVER SELL IT UNDER THIRTEEN-FIFTY, BUT SINCE I MYSELF WAS BORN HERE, AND I LIKE YOUR FRIENDLY GREETING, YOU CAN HAVE IT FOR THREE DOLLARS, EVEN THOUGH I’LL TAKE A BEATING! HERCULES: (Student Volunteer: pretending to be shocked) OH, NO, DOCTOR NOT THREE DOLLARS – YOU’VE NEVER SOLD IT THAT CHEAP! DULCAMARA: YOU’RE RIGHT, MY BOY, BUT IT’S TOO LATE NOW (continues over music intro) NEVER AGAIN FOLKS, WILL IT BE SOLD SO LOW! STEP RIGHT UP, FOLKS! HURRY! HURRY! BRING YOUR WALLETS AND DON’T WORRY, ‘CAUSE I’VE TRAVELLED OVER THIS WHOLE WORLD TO BRING YOU ALL THAT YOU NEED. YES, I’VE TRAVELLED OVER THIS WHOLE WIDE WORLD TO BRING EV’RYTHING, EVERYTING THAT YOU NEED. ALL THE FINEST, THE FINEST INDEED. AH, FOR DEVOTION, BUY MY LOVE POTION! YOU’VE MY SOLEMN GUARANTEE! JUST TRY AND SEE- IT WORKED FOR ME. JUST TRY AND SEE!

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11/27/19 Page 1 of 6

The Elixir of Love

SCRIPT

The following is the sequence of musical numbers. All of the dialogue involving students is enclosed in a box (and must be memorized before coming to the performance. CAST Professional singers from West Bay Opera:

ADINA (soprano) NEMORINO (tenor) SERGEANT BELCORE (baritone) DOCTOR DULCAMARA (comic baritone)

Students from your school (all have speaking parts except Soldiers #3 and #4): GIANNETTA, friend of Adina LAURETT A, friend of Adina MARIETTA, friend of Adina NANNETTA, friend of Adina

(GIANNETTA, LAURETTA, MARIETTA, and NANNETTA are referred to in the script as "the GIRLS'') HERCULES, Doctor Dulcamara's assistant SOLDIER #1 SOLDIER #2 SOLDIER #3 (non-speaking role) SOLDIER #4 (non-speaking role) Following is the sequence of musical numbers, with dialog sections involving students enclosed in a box. QUARTET: "Oh, good morning to you all" (Dulcamara, Adina, Nemorino, Belcore) PIANO: Entrance of ADINA and GIRLS

(ADINA enters with GIANNETTA, LAURETTA, MARIETTA, and NANNETTA)

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Dialogue: ADINA: Oh, it's so hot today! Why don't we all just relax for a while? I'll find

us a story to read.

(NEMORINO sneaks on, watching) GIANNETTA: Psst, Adina! (pointing to NEMORINO) Nemorino is watching

you again! ADINA: Now, now, let's not tease him. He's really very nice and even kind of

cute. But it drives me crazy, the way he always sighs and mopes. I like a man who walks right up and tells me what's on his mind.

(NEMORINO starts for ADINA, then shies away)

ARIA: "She's a darling, I adore her" (Nemorino) Dialogue: ADINA: Listen. Here's a very romantic story. It's about a knight named

Tristan who was so desperate to win the love of the beautiful Queen Isolda, that he drank a magic love potion!

GIRLS: (reacting) Oooh! ARIA: "Tristan adored Isolda" (Adina) ARIA and TRIO: "I have never met a girl yet" (Belcore)

(BEL CORE and SOLDIERS enter on the music) RECITATIVE: "And now, my dear young lady" (Belcore and Adina)

(as BELCORE, SOLDIERS and GIRLS leave, NEMORINO shyly approaches ADINA)

DUET: "Only one moment, Adina ... You're the soul of my existence"

(Nemorino, Adina)

(ADINA exits, NEMORINO starts to leave, but is stopped by entrance of GIRLS and SOLDIERS) PIANO: Fanfare for Dulcamara's entrance

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Dialogue: GIANNETTA: (spoken over music) He's coming! LAURETTA: That traveling salesman who was here last year! MARIETTA: I wonder what exciting new things he's

brought this time! NANNETTA: And if they're on sale!! ARIA: "Hello there! I greet you, 0 country folk" (Dulcamara) (DULCAMARA enters, followed by his assistant, HERCULES. In the middle of his aria, he sings "You can have it for three dollars, even though I’ll take a beating!" DULCAMARA will then prompt HERCULES to say the following line:) Dialogue: HERCULES: (pretending to be shocked) Oh, no, Doctor, not three dollars – you’ve never sold it that cheap! DULCAMARA: You're right, my boy, but it's too late now. (continues, over music)

Never again, folks, will it be sold so low!

(DULCAMARA finishes his aria.)

(GIRLS leave with purchases, followed by SOLDIERS; DULCAMARA and HERCULES prepare to leave)

DUET: "Oh doctor, you were saying ... What I mean" (Nemorino, Dulcamara)

(DULCAMARA and HERCULES try to leave again)

Dialog (Nemorino, Dulcamara) DUET: "Elixir of love, you're mine now ... She's laughing at my love for her" (Nemorino,

Adina)

(BELCORE enters) TRIO: "Tran, tran, tran" (Belcore, Adina, Nemorino)

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(SOLDIERS enter, followed by GIANNETTA and the GIRLS) Dialogue: SOLDIER #1: Sergeant, a message just arrived from headquarters. SOLDIER #2: We have orders to leave for the next village tomorrow

morning. TRIO: "My dearest, you heard it ... Ah, please, Adina dear" (Belcore, Nemorino, Adina) Dialog: ADINA: My friends, you're all invited to a magnificent banquet and dance tonight.

Come and help us celebrate our wedding! PIANO: (Exit of Adina, Belcore, Soldiers, and Girls)

(ADINA and BEL CORE lead GIRLS and SOLDIERS offstage; DULCAMARA and HERCULES enter.)

RECITATIVE: "Come, my boy, time to be on our way" (Dulcamara, Nemorino)

(DULCAMARA and HERCULES exit) DUET: "Twenty dollars?" (Nemorino, Belcore) (BEL CORE exits, later NEMORINO exits.) (GIANNETTA enters with the GIRLS, followed later by NEMORINO.) Dialogue: GIANNETTA: (to the other GIRLS) Did you hear the news? Nemorino's uncle died and left him all his money! LAURETTA: Well, that changes things! MARIETTA: He's still a goofball ... NANNETTA: But he's a rich goofball! GIANNETTA: Shhh! Here he comes. Hello, Nemorino!

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LAURETTA: Nemorino, how handsome you look! MARIETTA: And how charming! NANNETTA: And how rich ... uh, I mean cute. NEMORINO: They must be teasing me again. No, wait. .. it's the elixir.

It's really working this time! GIANNETT A: Come on, Nemorino, we don't want to miss all the fun

at the party!

(NEMORINO leaves with the GIRLS.

(ADINA and DULCAMARA enter and overhear) RECITATIVE and DUET: "What a good time he's having ... His was true love ... With a look that's warm and tender" (Adina, Dulcamara) (ADINA and DULCAMARA leave; NEMORINO enters) ARIA: "Soon I will hold you close to me" (Nemorino) (ADINA enters) RECITATIVE and DUET: "There she is! ... Stay here and live in freedom" (Nemorino, Adina) (BELCORE, GIRLS and SOLDIERS enter; a little later, DULCAMARA and HERCULES enter.) RECITATIVE: "What is this!" (Belcore, Adina, Dulcamara, Nemorino) FINALE: "My elixir is perfection" (Dulcamara with optional STUDENT CHORUS) DULCAMARA: MY ELIXIR IS PERFECTION, IT'S THE PRIDE OF MY PROFESSION, AND IT IS THE PRIZE POSSESSION OF MY FABULOUS COLLECTION: IT WILL PACIFY YOUR BABIES, CURE THE MEASLES AND THE RABIES, CLEAR COMPLEXIONS, WARTS AND PIMPLES, YOU SHALL HAVE MY GUARANTEE! (If the children have been prepared to sing, Dulcamara invites the audience to join)

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STUDENTS: (optional) MY ELIXIR IS PERFECTION,

IT'S THE PRIDE OF MY PROFESSION,

AND IT IS THE PRIZE POSSESSION

OF MY FABULOUS COLLECTION:

IT WILL PACIFY YOUR BABIES,

CURE THE MEASLES AND THE RABIES,

CLEAR COMPLEXIONS, WARTS AND PIMPLES,

YOU SHALL HAVE MY GUARANTEE!

(Finale continues after student chorus.) (All cast members join hands and bow as the music ends)

THE END

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1

E M R E S O P M O C L J R Y G A U V I S

B A A W I C T M B E T R X L S C I Q X F

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W O V L X N K I E W X R V E E S C I X N

M D A G K F B V X P D B U I C S C R S J

V L A U R E T T A P O E J D X V C B O Y

Wordsearch for Opera in the Schools"The Elixir of Love" Key

The wordsearch below contains words found or used in the production or performance of "The Elixir of Love".

opera DrDulcamara Donizetti sargeant theaterlibretto designer composer

set Marietta Gianetta coloratura Adinaprops Nemorino pattersong elixirNannetta Lauretta production ariabaritone recitative orchestra

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The Elixir of Love Crossword

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Across

A potion (6)4

The military rank of one of Adina' suitors (8)

8

A very agile and flexible voice, esp. a high soprano (10)

9

Song with a great many words sung very quickly (10)

12

One of Adina's friends (8)14

Down

The word that describes the person who creates the set, lights and costumes used in a production. (8)

1

The story that a composer uses to create an opera (8)

2

What is the short name given to the objects that actors hold in their hands. (5)

3

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The man who sells the Elixir of Love to Nemorino (11)

17

The Elixir of Love is an example of an ---------? (5)

18

The person who creates the music for an opera (8)

19

The composer of "The Elixir of Love" (9)21

A friend of Adina (8)22

Song sung by a person in an opera. (4)24

The physical area in which the opera is performed (3)

5

The word that describes the semi spoken part of an opera, used to advance the story. (10)

6

A group of musicians that accompanies the singers (9)

7

One of Adina's friends (8)10

The word used to describe a large activity such as an opera or a play. (10)

11

Place where an opera is performed (7)13

The young man that sings tenor and wants to marry Adina. (8)

15

The word used to discribe the voice between a tenor and a bass. (8)

16

Another friend of Adina (8)20

Young lady that Nemorino and the Sargent wish to marry. (5)

23

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My Elixir Is Perfection(Finale from The Elixir of Love)

Gaetano Donizetti

(Finale continues after student chorus)

STUDENT CHORUS (with Dr. Dulcamara)

Please listen to the CD to hear a sample of this music to be sung by the student chorus of 42

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11/27/19 Page 1 of 1

IN-CLASS MATERIAL for

AFTER THE PERFORMANCE

Discussion Questions

1. How is an opera different from a play (e.g., the words are sung instead of spoken; two or more people can sing at the same time, even about different things)

2. What kinds of jobs, besides singing, were involved with putting on the opera you saw? Would the opera have been the same had any of these things been missing?

3. Do you think that Nemorino needed a “love potion” to make Adina fall in love with him?

4. Dr. Dulcamara was able to convince the townspeople that his elixir (potion) could cure anything. Do you think people in today’s world are just as gullible?

5. What do you think of the young ladies who were more interested in Nemorino after they found out he had inherited a lot of money.

Opera Quiz

1. Does The Elixir of Love contain a “patter song”? If it does which character sings it?

2. What is the term for many notes sung on one syllable? (coloratura)

3. What are the names for the highest female voice? the highest male voice? (soprano, tenor)

4. What are the names for the medium-low female and male voices? (mezzo-soprano, baritone)

5. What are the names for the lowest female and male voices? (contralto, bass).

6. What is a libretto? The author of this libretto was Felice Romani. He took a story and adapted it for the opera.

7. What is a recitative? Did you hear one in the opera you saw? 8. What is an “elixir”?

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MATERIALS FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS

Primary Reader (short Elixir of Love plot) Coloring Book Images: Adina Nemorino Belcore Dulcamara

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12/28/14 Page 1 of 1

PRIMARY READER

An Abridged Version of the Story of

The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti

Adina is a young lady who owns a farm. Nemorino is a young man on the farm. He is very shy, and he loves Adina. He hears Adina reading a story. In the story Tristan drinks a magic drink. This makes Isolde love him. Sergeant Belcore comes to town with his soldiers. Belcore asks Adina to marry him. She says no. Dr. Dulcamara and his helper arrive. Dulcamara is selling a drink. He sings that the drink will cure everything. Nemorino thinks it is a magic drink like the one in the story. He buys it and drinks it. He does not know that the drink is only Gatorade. He is sure that Adina will love him now. He laughs and acts happy. He stops following Adina. He waits for the elixir to work. Adina does not know why Nemorino is acting differently. Perhaps he doesn't love her after all. She decides to marry Belcore that night. Nemorino is worried now. He decides he must have more of the potion. He does not have enough money. Belcore says he will give him $20. To get the $20 he must become a soldier. Nemorino agrees and buys more of the drink. The girls in the town hear that Nemorino is rich. His uncle died and left him all his money. They then act very nicely to him. Adina does not know that he is rich. She is a little jealous. She does love Nemorino after all. She and Nemorino hug each other. Sergeant Belcore is not happy when he sees this. But he knows he will find another girl! Dr. Dulcamara tells Nemorino that he is now rich! Dulcamara takes all the credit! He sings that his elixir makes people happy. It also makes them rich! All are happy at the end of the opera.

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all materials available online at www.wbopera

The Elixir of Loveby Gaetano Donizetti

AdinaSung by Christine Capsuto

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The Elixir of Loveby Gaetano Donizetti

all materials available online at www.WBOpera.org

BelcoreSung by

Michael Taylor

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MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS ONLY

The Elixir of Love

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08/12/19 Teacher Evaluation Form – The Elixir of Love Page 1 of 2

Mail or FAX to: Balbina Heitner – OITS Coordinator West Bay Opera Palo Alto, CA. 94306 FAX 650-843-3904

Teacher’s Evaluation Form

West Bay Opera is interested in receiving your comments about the Opera In The Schools Program. We are always seeking to improve the quality of the children’s opera experience. Please take a few minutes to respond to the questions below and return the questionnaire to your main office for submission to West Bay Opera. Thank you!

Classroom Study Material for BEFORE the performance (with glossary of opera terminology): how

useful was it in teaching the children about opera in general?

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Classroom Study Material for AFTER the performance: how useful was it to reinforce the students’

appreciation of the performance?

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Coloring sketches: how did the younger students like them?

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Opera puzzles: how did the students like them?

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Biography of the Composer: how useful did you find it?

________________________________________________________________________________

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08/12/19 Teacher Evaluation Form – The Elixir of Love Page 2 of 2

________________________________________________________________________________

Did the students enjoy and learn from the assembly performance? _________________ _

________________________________________________________________________________

Did you find it helpful to have the study materials available online?

________________________________________________________________________________

What do you feel were the program’s strengths and weaknesses?

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Would you want West Bay Opera’s School Program to return to your school with other programs in

subsequent years? ______________________________________________

Additional Comments:

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your participation in West Bay Opera’s School Program

Name of School: ________________________________________

Class Level: ________________________________________

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the elixir of love 2020 · • 2 boys or girls (4th grade or higher) to be soldiers #3 and #4...

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