[Donizetti, Gaetano. (1797–1848)] Romani, Felice. (1788–1865)

"L'Elisir d'Amore" - Libretto

Milano: Gaspare Truffi e Comp.. [1832]. First Edition. L'Elisir d'amore, melodramma giocoso in due atti, da rappresentarsi nell'I. R. teatro alla Canobbiana, la primavera dell'anno 1832. 42 pp. 12mo (17 x 10.5 cm). Original wrappers with some light edge wear, overall fine. First edition libretto of Donizetti's best-known comedic opera, published around the time of its first performance in 1832. Fuld, p. 85.

Written in haste in a six-week period, L'elisir d'amore was the most often performed opera in Italy between 1838 and 1848 and it has remained continually in the international opera repertory. Felice Romani wrote the Italian libretto, after Eugène Scribe's libretto for Daniel Auber's Le philtre (1831). Donizetti insisted on a number of changes from the original Scribe libretto. The best known of these was the insertion of "Una furtiva lagrima" and the duet between Adina and Nemorino in the first act, "Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera". (15723)

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