A classic opera reimagined in the Old West; A New Orleanian opera star of national acclaim returning home to shine as leading lady; a massive ‘Fais Do-Do’ following the opening night performance, with Stetson hats, entertainment, and a cookout overlooking Congo Square (which some consider the birthplace of both American music and barbecue); and an audience encouraged to attend the show in fringe, denim and cowboy boots. “People are starting to realize Louisiana had it’s own cowboy culture,” says New Orleans Opera’s General Director Lila Palmer, “This gives us a chance to celebrate that heritage, reinterpret a classic, and have a good time doing it!”
The New Orleans Opera’s April 4 & 6 staging director Ned Canty’s production of L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love) definitely won’t be your standard version of the comedy classic, it will be fun and approachable to the first-timer and veteran alike. Donizetti’s music will be performed on a western frontier set and will feature several of today’s most acclaimed operatic voices at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre at the edge of the historic French Quarter.
New Orleans is “America’s First City of Opera”, and as Palmer explains, “We remain not only the trendsetters in the world of opera, as we have been since 1796, but this particular production is another step for the company in creating transporting extravaganzas for audiences. This version of The Elixir of Love, combined with Cowboy-Cajun-themed hoedown straight afterward, merges the Old World with the Old West for an all-night entertainment experience in which our audience gets to participate, be part of the costume, be part of the dance. It’s like Yellowstone and Bridgerton and Calamity Jane had a comic opera baby.”
Lindsey Reynolds
Lindsey Reynolds
Leading this innovative American frontier production will be New Orleans’ own Lindsey Reynolds, returning home to play Adina after winning acclaim on stages from the Philadelphian Opera to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In fact, the 26-year-old first played Adina at 19 at the renowned Chautauqua Institution in 2018, following her graduation from the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA), where she studied under another New Orleanian opera star, Phyllis Treigle.
The Elixir of Love is a comic opera centered on a comic love triangle, with Nemorino (star tenor Matthew Swensen), a poor young man in love with the wealthy and independent Adina, competing with Sargeant Belcore, (Grammy winner Jonathan McCullough). Hoping to win her heart, Nemorino buys and drinks what he believes to be a love potion from a traveling salesman. When he unknowingly inherits a fortune, the town’s women flock to him, falsely convincing him of the potion’s power. In the end, Adina realizes her love for Nemorino, leading to a joyous conclusion. “What I love most about this opera is the way Donizetti portrays women,” Lindsey said. “Adina has so much agency, especially for the time the opera was composed. I love performing roles that highlight strong, multifaceted women.”
For tickets to the April 4 & 6 performances of The Elixir of Love, go to www.neworleansopera.org or call the box office at (504) 529-3000.
