[New National Theatre] A Fake Potion Brings Real Love! A Romantic Comedy 'L'elisir d'amore' That Will Make Everyone Happy
The New National Theatre, Tokyo, will present Donizetti's popular opera buffa (comic opera) 'L'elisir d'amore' (The Elixir of Love) starting Saturday, May 16. This heartwarming romantic comedy, centered around a fake love potion, features a playful and pop-art-inspired production by Cesare Lievi. The cast includes rising star soprano Francesca Pia Vitale in her New National Theatre debut as Adina and tenor Matteo Desole as Nemorino, promising a delightful experience for all, including first-time opera-goers.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 20:38
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From the 2013 performance of 'L'elisir d'amore' Photo: Chikashi Saegusa
The New National Theatre (Shibuya, Tokyo) will present Donizetti's popular opera buffa (comic opera) 'L'elisir d'amore' starting Saturday, May 16. It's a comical and slightly heart-wrenching love story about a fake love potion, featuring a variety of beautiful musical numbers, including the famous tenor aria "Una furtiva lagrima" (A Furtive Tear). The New National Theatre's production by Lievi is full of playfulness. A 9-meter-tall book, giant letters, and a life-sized small airplane appear one after another on the colorful and pop-art stage, rhythmically carrying the love story forward. 'L'elisir d'amore' is a delight for both the eyes and ears, and is also recommended for first-time opera-goers. Making her New National Theatre debut in the role of Adina is the much-talked-about new star soprano Francesca Pia Vitale, while Matteo Desole, acclaimed for his clear, soaring voice, will play Nemorino. Enjoy a blissful time with this exceptionally cute love story.
Performance Information
From the 2013 performance of 'L'elisir d'amore' Photo: Chikashi Saegusa
A touching story of clumsy efforts, Donizetti's exceptionally cute love story
'L'elisir d'amore' is a popular opera buffa (comic opera) by Donizetti, a leading composer of bel canto opera. It is a beloved work worldwide, telling a comical and slightly heart-wrenching love story about a fake love potion. The opera is filled with a variety of beautiful musical numbers, including the famous tenor aria "Una furtiva lagrima," Nemorino's cavatina "Quanto è bella, quanto è cara!", Adina's confession aria "Prendi, per me sei libero," and Dulcamara's fast-paced patter song delivered with superb technique. The New National Theatre's production by Lievi is full of playfulness. A 9-meter-tall book, giant letters, and a life-sized small airplane appear one after another on the colorful and pop-art stage, carrying the love story forward with detailed psychological depiction. 'L'elisir d'amore' is a delight for both the eyes and ears, and is also recommended for first-time opera-goers.
From the 2013 performance of 'L'elisir d'amore' Photo: Chikashi Saegusa (multiple images)
Spotlight on new star soprano Vitale! A love comedy with a lineup of top-notch, in-demand singers
F.P. Vitale, M. Desole
Playing the role of Adina is the new star soprano Francesca Pia Vitale, making her New National Theatre debut. She is a rising star advancing with incredible momentum, having been selected as one of Opera Wire's Top 10 Rising Stars of 2022 and appearing successively at prestigious theaters. Recently, she has been a leading soprano in major European opera houses such as La Scala in Milan, the Paris Opéra, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, and the Teatro Regio Torino, making her a highly watched soprano in the opera world.
Nemorino will be played by Matteo Desole, who was highly praised for his clear, soaring voice in the 2022 production of 'La Traviata'. The tenor, now in high demand across Europe, makes a welcome return. The quack doctor Dulcamara will be played by the master Marco Filippo Romano, who is highly active in the world's renowned theaters, specializing in buffo roles in bel canto operas and Mozart. The love rival, Sergeant Belcore, will be played by Simone Alberghini, a baritone who is very popular in Japan for his flexible expression, having sung the title role in 'Don Giovanni' and the treacherous Paolo in 'Simon Boccanegra' at the New National Theatre. The conductor is the Italian veteran Marco Guidarini. An exquisite lineup gathers at the Opera Palace. Please look forward to a supremely luxurious 'L'elisir d'amore'.
Top left, clockwise: M. Guidarini, C. Lievi, F.P. Vitale, M. Desole, S. Alberghini, M.F. Romano
'L'elisir d'amore' Synopsis
The naive peasant Nemorino is infatuated with Adina, the daughter of a farm owner. When Sergeant Belcore tries to woo her, Nemorino musters his courage and confesses his love, but is ignored. Then, the quack doctor Dulcamara appears and sells him cheap wine, claiming it's a love potion. The intoxicated Nemorino suddenly becomes bold, but this angers Adina, who decides to marry Belcore. To get money to buy more of the elixir, Nemorino enlists in the army. Touched by his devotion, Adina confesses her love for Nemorino, and the two are united.
From the 2013 performance of 'L'elisir d'amore' Photo: Chikashi Saegusa
◆Understand the Opera 'L'elisir d'amore' with Manga!◆
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/news/detail/6_031389.html
New National Theatre Opera 'L'elisir d'amore' Digest Video
New National Theatre 2025/2026 Season Opera 'L'elisir d'amore'
【Performance Dates】
May 16 (Sat) 14:00 / May 20 (Wed) 19:00 / May 23 (Sat) 14:00 / May 27 (Wed) 14:00, 2026
【Venue】New National Theatre Opera Palace
【Staff & Cast】Conductor: Marco Guidarini / Director: Cesare Lievi / Set Design: Luigi Perego / Cast: Francesca Pia Vitale, Matteo Desole, Simone Alberghini, Marco Filippo Romano, Sachie Konno / Chorus: New National Theatre Chorus / Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
【Ticket Prices】 S: ¥26,400 ・ A: ¥22,000 ・ B: ¥15,400 ・ C: ¥9,900 ・ D: ¥6,600 ・ Z (Day ticket only): ¥1,650
【Ticket Purchase】New National Theatre Box Office 03-5352-9999
WEB Box Office https://nntt.pia.jp/
※Student (5%), Junior (20%), and Senior (5%) discount tickets are also available at the WEB Box Office.
※If you register for N-members, those aged 25/39 and under can purchase discounted S/A seats for ¥5,000/¥11,000.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/ticket/youth-members/
※Day tickets at the New National Theatre are 50% off for students (excluding D and Z seats). Available at the Box Office (counter and phone).
For details on performances and tickets, please visit the New National Theatre website.
Performance Information Website https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/lelisirdamore/
About the New National Theatre
New National Theatre
The New National Theatre, as Japan's only national theatre for contemporary performing arts, produces and presents performances of opera, ballet, dance, and drama, and also conducts training programs for artists. The opera division, with world-renowned conductor Kazushi Ono as its artistic director since September 2018, stages approximately 10 opera productions a year at a level comparable to major opera houses around the world, and also holds opera appreciation classes for high school students.
Location: 1-1-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/
New National Theatre Opera Palace (image)
The New National Theatre (Shibuya, Tokyo) will present Donizetti's popular opera buffa (comic opera) 'L'elisir d'amore' starting Saturday, May 16. It's a comical and slightly heart-wrenching love story about a fake love potion, featuring a variety of beautiful musical numbers, including the famous tenor aria "Una furtiva lagrima" (A Furtive Tear). The New National Theatre's production by Lievi is full of playfulness. A 9-meter-tall book, giant letters, and a life-sized small airplane appear one after another on the colorful and pop-art stage, rhythmically carrying the love story forward. 'L'elisir d'amore' is a delight for both the eyes and ears, and is also recommended for first-time opera-goers. Making her New National Theatre debut in the role of Adina is the much-talked-about new star soprano Francesca Pia Vitale, while Matteo Desole, acclaimed for his clear, soaring voice, will play Nemorino. Enjoy a blissful time with this exceptionally cute love story.
Performance Information
From the 2013 performance of 'L'elisir d'amore' Photo: Chikashi Saegusa
A touching story of clumsy efforts, Donizetti's exceptionally cute love story
'L'elisir d'amore' is a popular opera buffa (comic opera) by Donizetti, a leading composer of bel canto opera. It is a beloved work worldwide, telling a comical and slightly heart-wrenching love story about a fake love potion. The opera is filled with a variety of beautiful musical numbers, including the famous tenor aria "Una furtiva lagrima," Nemorino's cavatina "Quanto è bella, quanto è cara!", Adina's confession aria "Prendi, per me sei libero," and Dulcamara's fast-paced patter song delivered with superb technique. The New National Theatre's production by Lievi is full of playfulness. A 9-meter-tall book, giant letters, and a life-sized small airplane appear one after another on the colorful and pop-art stage, carrying the love story forward with detailed psychological depiction. 'L'elisir d'amore' is a delight for both the eyes and ears, and is also recommended for first-time opera-goers.
From the 2013 performance of 'L'elisir d'amore' Photo: Chikashi Saegusa (multiple images)
Spotlight on new star soprano Vitale! A love comedy with a lineup of top-notch, in-demand singers
F.P. Vitale, M. Desole
Playing the role of Adina is the new star soprano Francesca Pia Vitale, making her New National Theatre debut. She is a rising star advancing with incredible momentum, having been selected as one of Opera Wire's Top 10 Rising Stars of 2022 and appearing successively at prestigious theaters. Recently, she has been a leading soprano in major European opera houses such as La Scala in Milan, the Paris Opéra, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, and the Teatro Regio Torino, making her a highly watched soprano in the opera world.
Nemorino will be played by Matteo Desole, who was highly praised for his clear, soaring voice in the 2022 production of 'La Traviata'. The tenor, now in high demand across Europe, makes a welcome return. The quack doctor Dulcamara will be played by the master Marco Filippo Romano, who is highly active in the world's renowned theaters, specializing in buffo roles in bel canto operas and Mozart. The love rival, Sergeant Belcore, will be played by Simone Alberghini, a baritone who is very popular in Japan for his flexible expression, having sung the title role in 'Don Giovanni' and the treacherous Paolo in 'Simon Boccanegra' at the New National Theatre. The conductor is the Italian veteran Marco Guidarini. An exquisite lineup gathers at the Opera Palace. Please look forward to a supremely luxurious 'L'elisir d'amore'.
Top left, clockwise: M. Guidarini, C. Lievi, F.P. Vitale, M. Desole, S. Alberghini, M.F. Romano
'L'elisir d'amore' Synopsis
The naive peasant Nemorino is infatuated with Adina, the daughter of a farm owner. When Sergeant Belcore tries to woo her, Nemorino musters his courage and confesses his love, but is ignored. Then, the quack doctor Dulcamara appears and sells him cheap wine, claiming it's a love potion. The intoxicated Nemorino suddenly becomes bold, but this angers Adina, who decides to marry Belcore. To get money to buy more of the elixir, Nemorino enlists in the army. Touched by his devotion, Adina confesses her love for Nemorino, and the two are united.
From the 2013 performance of 'L'elisir d'amore' Photo: Chikashi Saegusa
◆Understand the Opera 'L'elisir d'amore' with Manga!◆
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/news/detail/6_031389.html
New National Theatre Opera 'L'elisir d'amore' Digest Video
New National Theatre 2025/2026 Season Opera 'L'elisir d'amore'
【Performance Dates】
May 16 (Sat) 14:00 / May 20 (Wed) 19:00 / May 23 (Sat) 14:00 / May 27 (Wed) 14:00, 2026
【Venue】New National Theatre Opera Palace
【Staff & Cast】Conductor: Marco Guidarini / Director: Cesare Lievi / Set Design: Luigi Perego / Cast: Francesca Pia Vitale, Matteo Desole, Simone Alberghini, Marco Filippo Romano, Sachie Konno / Chorus: New National Theatre Chorus / Orchestra: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
【Ticket Prices】 S: ¥26,400 ・ A: ¥22,000 ・ B: ¥15,400 ・ C: ¥9,900 ・ D: ¥6,600 ・ Z (Day ticket only): ¥1,650
【Ticket Purchase】New National Theatre Box Office 03-5352-9999
WEB Box Office https://nntt.pia.jp/
※Student (5%), Junior (20%), and Senior (5%) discount tickets are also available at the WEB Box Office.
※If you register for N-members, those aged 25/39 and under can purchase discounted S/A seats for ¥5,000/¥11,000.
https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/ticket/youth-members/
※Day tickets at the New National Theatre are 50% off for students (excluding D and Z seats). Available at the Box Office (counter and phone).
For details on performances and tickets, please visit the New National Theatre website.
Performance Information Website https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/opera/lelisirdamore/
About the New National Theatre
New National Theatre
The New National Theatre, as Japan's only national theatre for contemporary performing arts, produces and presents performances of opera, ballet, dance, and drama, and also conducts training programs for artists. The opera division, with world-renowned conductor Kazushi Ono as its artistic director since September 2018, stages approximately 10 opera productions a year at a level comparable to major opera houses around the world, and also holds opera appreciation classes for high school students.
Location: 1-1-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo https://www.nntt.jac.go.jp/
New National Theatre Opera Palace (image)