L’elisir d’amore Review

L’elisir d’amore Review

3rd-5th July 2025

St Paul’s Opera in Clapham has a mission: to offer accessible opera to their audience and supporters, as well as providing a home of opportunity to young aspiring professional singers, whilst not forgetting more mature singers for roles where their experience provides credibility to the production. Their auditioning and resulting rehearsal process is rigorous, with thorough musical preparation, language coaching and acting workshops ensuring each character is embedded into the psyche of the singer. They run events throughout the year; their summer opera festival takes place typically late June / early July when the church is transformed into a theatre and the grounds are filled with gazebos for the audience to picnic before and during the performance. During the autumn their singers return to present an opera gala, December is the time for their Christmas concert, and during the spring they stage an oratorio celebration. Internationally renowned tenor, David Butt Philip (Royal Opera House, English National Opera amongst others), runs the Masterclass for the St Paul’s Opera singers.

“It is a beautiful experience to sit an arms-length away from such incredible performers, which feels very special and unique”

Musical Director Adrian Salinero states: “This L’Elisir brings us in direct contact with Clapham’s history. Discovering the history of the SLH (South London Hospital) has been so inspiring, especially in regard to the character of Adina. Creating her as a working woman in post war London, facing the harsh challenges that the time posed but also finding liberation within that. Dr Dulcamara’s elixir of love works as a beautiful metaphor for the delusional quality of hope that people really clung to at the time and the tension between the women who have been in charge during wartime and the men who are coming home was so appealing to me as a director.”

The hospital ward provides a unique backdrop for the story of love, deception, and the quest for happiness. Matron Adina, played by soprano Fiona Hymns, is the object of lovelorn Nemorino’s affection. Hymns delivers with poise and control, and along with a brilliant acting ability, and incredible range, her performance is nothing short of perfection. Hymns has performed across the UK and Europe for companies including Grange Park Opera, Buxton Festival, Longborough Festival Opera and Festival d’Aix-en-Provance. She commands the stage and doesn’t take prisoners, including the hapless Nemorino. Latvian-born Martins Smaukstelis is superb in this role, and his voice and performance is something to behold. Boasting an MA from the Royal Academy of Music, Martins began his music career as a violinist. He has sung with some of the most prominent companies including Glyndebourne Festival, Garsington, Wexford and The Grange Festival, and was the winner of the Emmy Destinn Awards 2024. Together they create magical harmonies which will send shivers down your spine.

The deceptive Dr Dulcamara is brought to life by Ashley Mercer – a Masters graduate with Distinction from Trinity Laban with numerous credits under his name including Schaunard – La Bohème (Regents Opera – with superb comedic effect, directly relating to the audience. His ‘elixir of love’ draws in the entire hospital ward, and everyone is eager to try some. 

Making his role and company debut as Belcore, (Nemorino’s love rival) is Ted Day, a recent graduate of the Royal College of Music, where he studied with Tim Evans-Jones and Bryan Evans MBE and held the Douglas and Hilda Simmonds scholarship. Day’s deep rich tones complemented his role, which he carried off with perfect arrogance!

Each member of the chorus is excellent, and when they sing ‘tutti insieme’, it really is goosebump-inducing. They are an integral part of the storytelling, adding to the sense of community and camaraderie that pervades the ward. The venue, St Paul’s Church in Clapham, is an intimate setting, with perfect acoustics. It is a beautiful experience to sit an arms-length away from such incredible performers, which feels very special and unique. To be surrounded by a wall of harmony is common-place for performers, but in this venue the audience is also completely immersed.

This production of “L’elisir d’amore” is a joyous celebration of music, love, and the human spirit. It’s a testament to the power of opera to bring people together and transcend time and place. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this amazing company, who will leave you smiling long after the applause.

Creatives
Director: Eliose Lally
Musical Director: Adrian Salinero
Producer/Designer: Ted Blackburn

Cast
Gianneetta: Isabella Roberts
Adina: Fiona Hymns
Nemorino: Martins Smaukstelis
Belcore: Theodore Day
Dr Dulcamara: Ashley Mercer

Chorus
Caitlin Hockley
Patricia Ninian
Bridget Coaker
Caity Farrant Shaw
Charlotte Forknall
Dominic Westwood
Llewellyn St David
Thomas Rayner

Rhea Shepherd

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