L'Elisir d'Amore

Last night we went to hear Donizetti's opera "L'Elisir d'Amore", having been invited by my stepmother.   I have to admit that, although I have heard Berg's "Wozzeck" countless times, I have never heard an opera by Donizetti.  Now I have.   What is striking to me is how remarkably efficient Donizetti is at his craft.  The music is extremely effective, and the point is the voices.   There are several wonderful ensemble moments that follow in Mozart's footsteps, and the whole thing is exceedingly entertaining, especially when sung and played by the Met Orchestra and brand-name singers.  Vera has heard and taught many of these operas, and gets annoyed by the boiler-plate music that gets used in every opera; for someone as ignorant as I am, it is all charming.   The production itself was extremely well done, and acted with great energy and evident pleasure by the cast.