From TOLEDO OPERA
Toledo Opera will present Gaetano Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love” on Friday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m., at the Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St., Toledo. Presented over Valentine’s weekend, Toledo Opera’s new production of “The Elixir of Love” marks the company’s first staging of the beloved opera since 1985.
This return celebrates Donizetti’s romantic comedy with a cast of returning favorites and accomplished artists, underscoring Toledo Opera’s ongoing commitment to artistic excellence. With warmth, humor, and memorable music, “The Elixir of Love” offers an operatic experience for the most romantic weekend of the year.
Toledo Opera will also host a free pre-opera talk one hour before each show in the Grand Lobby of the Valentine Theatre. Associate Professor of Musicology at Bowling Green State University, Dr. Ryan Ebright, Ph.D., will provide historical context and insight and will be available to take questions after the talk.
First performed on May 12, 1832, at the Teatro della Canobbiana in Milan, “The Elixir of Love” is a two-act melodramma giocoso – a blend of comedy and romance. Between 1838 and 1848, it became the most frequently performed opera in Italy, beloved for its heartfelt celebration of sincerity and emotional truth, ideals central to the Romantic movement.
“The Elixir of Love” tells the story of Nemorino, a shy and earnest young man hopelessly in love with the beautiful and independent Adina. Convinced he cannot win her heart on his own, Nemorino turns to the flamboyant traveling salesman Dr. Dulcamara, who offers him a mysterious “love potion.”
What follows is a whirlwind of misunderstandings, mistaken intentions, and comic chaos as Nemorino’s newfound confidence sets off a series of unexpected events. With its blend of humor and romance, Donizetti’s masterpiece has become one of opera’s most beloved comedies.
“The Elixir of Love” will be brought to life by conductor J. Ernest Green, who returns for his fourth consecutive season with Toledo Opera, following successful productions of “The Merry Widow,” “Ragtime,” and “South Pacific.” Award-winning stage director Ian Silverman joins Toledo Opera for the very first time. “The Elixir of Love” will star David Walton, “Cinderella,” as Nemorino, Marnie Breckenridge as Adina, and Jason Budd, “La Traviata,” “The Merry Widow,” “Cinderella,” “Tosca,” and “Carmen,” as Dr. Dulcamara. “The Elixir of Love” will be presented in Italian with English captions.
For Toledo Opera General Director James M. Norman, “The Elixir of Love” “is a joyful reminder of why opera matters – its humor, heart, and humanity bring people together. This romantic comedy offers our audience an evening of laughter and connection, and we’re proud to share an experience that is both timeless and delightfully relevant while reaffirming opera’s ability to delight, unite, and uplight our community.”
Toledo Opera Artistic Director, Kevin Bylsma, added, “With ‘The Elixir of Love,’ audiences can expect the kind of artistry and vocal brilliance you would find at a company five times our size. Our singers – from our extraordinary chorus, to our incredible resident artists, to our renowned principals – bring unmatched skill, charm, and passion to every note, making this a truly unforgettable operatic experience.”
Praised for his “clean, clear voice,” tenor David Walton returns to Toledo, having sung the role of Prince Ramiro in Toledo Opera’s 2023 production of “Cinderella.” A favorite tenor of bel canto repertoire, Walton has frequented such roles as Ernesto, “Don Pasquale;” Tonio, “La Fille du Régiment;” and Almaviva, “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” His voice has been described as a “plangent tenor tone” in “Opera Today” and “the sweetest singing of the evening … a lyric tenor with strong Italianate stylings,” according to “Star Tribune.” “Opera War Horses” said he is “a 21st century Rossini tenor,” and “Virginia Pilot” said he is “smooth, lyrical, and capable of scaling the heights.” This production of “The Elixir of Love” marks Walton’s role debut as Nemorino.
Marnie Breckenridge makes both her role debut and company debut as Adina in “The Elixir of Love.” An American soprano, Breckenridge has won international acclaim in a vast repertoire spanning from the Baroque to the Modern. She is continuously praised for her grounded storytelling and known for her deeply expressive score interpretations, layered characterizations, and her pure soprano. A favorite among some of the most gifted composers of current time, her musicianship and technique have established her as a go-to performer of critically acclaimed new works. “The Globe and Mail” said he “bell-like ring over an enormous range and personality spill[ed] from every note. “The New York Times” said she has a “lovely soprano” voice, while “The Chicago Tribune” praised her “lyrical poignancy and dramatic power.” In 2020, she received the DORA award for “Outstanding Performance by an Individual in an Opera” for Jacqueline, a role she helped create with the composer Luna Pearl Woolf and librettist Royce Vavrek about the life of Jacqueline Du Pré, written for her and cellist Matt Haimovitz.
Jason Budd returns to Toledo Opera for his fifth consecutive season as Dr. Dulcamara. Budd has garnered a reputation for being a consummate singer-actor. Having received accolades for his performances across the United States and Europe, Budd’s South American debut as the title role in Verdi’s “Falstaff” in São Paulo, Brazil was a great success. During his time as a Toledo Opera resident artist, Budd studied at Bowling Green State University with Andreas Poulimenos. Budd has also enjoyed success in vocal competitions over the years, including wins at the Opera Columbus competition, the Heinz Rehfuss competition with Orlando Opera, the Mary Jacobs Smith Singer of the Year competition with Shreveport Opera, and the Meistersinger competition in Graz, Austria.
Also joining the cast are baritone and former Toledo Opera resident artist Robbie Raso as Belcore; and soprano and Toledo Opera resident artist Sarah Rachel Bacani as Gianetta. Both performers round out the principal cast with a complex mix of national and international talent.
Founded in 1959, Toledo Opera aims to produce high quality operas and programming, reaching 30,000 people annually through mainstage performances, educational programs, and community outreach. Toledo Opera creates experiences in the theater, in the classroom, and throughout the community that celebrate compelling stories, expressed though music and voices to engage, connect, and inspire. Toledo Opera is committed to creating a space for everyone, sound stewardship, nourishing artists, innovation, collaboration, social justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
