Gaetano Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore at the New York City Opera is a harmless, charming opera. The plot moves methodically and accordingly to the opera buffa style and as I write this post, I'm beginning to think of the entire production - plot, characters, and genre - as a true "coming-of-age" story.

The two main characters (Adina and Nemorino) grow before our eyes. Nemorino, a simple-minded tenor, becomes more outgoing while Adina, the flirtatious soprano (and Nemorino's love), becomes less fickle. For me, Nemorino isn't just a simple-minded tenor, I felt he was a complete wimp - especially in the first act! But by the second act, his maturity blossoms and John Tessier's performance of the "Una furtiva langrima" ("A tear on her cheek") aria awakens our ears to this man's romantic heart:

"A furtive tear showed in her eyes. What more could I ever want."

At first, I had issues with Jonathan Miller's decision to transform "Donizetti'’s rustic Italian setting into one of pure Americana: a 1950s diner straight out of an Edward Hopper painting." Even the translated super-titles were "Americanized." But as I reflect on the performance, perhaps it was fitting. What era says more about "coming-of-age" - i.e., hoop skirts, Coca-Cola soda machines, and big cars with fins - than the 1950s? (Although, maybe Miller went too far when Dulcamara (played by Jan Opalach) sings a la "Frank Sinatra style.")

Before the opera, we had a deliciouss dinner at Il Violino (180 Columbus Avenue btw. W. 68th and W. 69th Sts.) followed by some Elixirs & Cupcakes at the NYC Opera's Big Deal! Club's after-party. Yummy!

PS. Spider-Man is cool! ;-)