Savor the antics of Nemorino as he tastes the elixir of love itself, a potion crafted with care and sold by Dr. Dulcamara, with an offering of courage in every sip. The aim of his affections is Adina, sung by the incomparable Andriana Chuchman, returning to Manitoba Opera in the role in which she made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2014. New York Classical Review called her “sensational.” American tenor Jonah Hoskins, the 2021 Second Prize winner of the Placido Domingo Operalia competition, sings and sighs his way through the role of Nemorino. The scene-stealing Canadian baritone Peter McGillivray returns for the role of the potion- peddling Dr. Dulcamara. Peter last appeared with MO as the hilarious wine-swilling, grape-stomping Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola. American baritone Jorell Williams makes his MO debut as Sergeant Belcore, Nemorino’s nemesis.
Cast
Adina
Andriana Chuchman
Nemorino
Jonah Hoskins
Sgt. Belcore
Jorell Williams
Dr. Dulcamara
Peter McGillivray
Creative Team
Conductor
Tyrone Paterson
Stage Director
Ann Hodges
Review
“It’s an absolute pleasure to see Canadian baritone Peter McGillivray grace this stage again; he last appeared as Don Magnifico in MO’s 2022 La Cenerentola. The beloved singer and force of nature brings razor-sharp comedic chops to his larger-than-life portrayal of Dulcamara, spitting out his text during Udite, udite, o rustici (Listen, listen, o peasants), in which he tells the chorus of tourists (in this version) visiting the village that he “has a cure for everything.”
Another highlight is his Act II barcarolle with Adina, Io son ricco e tu sei bella (I am rich, and you are beautiful), in which he morphs into a wealthy, older senator imagined as a beautiful gondoliere, rowing his “boat” with a baguette. His rich baritone is as deep as the bonny blue sea, infused with a stream of deliciously rolled Rs.”
-Holly Harris, Winnipeg Free Press
