Rehearsals have begun for The Elixir of Love with Portland Opera To Go, and we are so excited for our first performances next week! There’s lot of things to look forward to with this show for me, like a great opera, a creative adaptation, generous and talented colleagues, and the mother of all tours throughout Oregon. But I want to tell you about our SET. When we walked into the door to see it the first time, we all just gasped! It is so beautifully designed and executed.

The set for this production was conceived by our director and librettist, Kristine McIntyre. She took her inspiration from a painting from 1934 by American artist Thomas Hart Benton. This is the painting:

Kristine told me that only when she saw this painting did she realize that it would be possible to set this opera in the USA in the 1930s.

After Kristine’s inspiration, the set was designed and created by Polly Robbins, with support from members of the Portland Opera technical staff. It is so beautiful and whimsical. 

Not only is the set so beautifully crafted, it also has some really neat bells and whistles, including sound effects from a backstage iPod and a remote-controlled airplane tail to simulate an airplane crash.

And then there is Dr. Dulcamara’s cart, pushed here by baritone Stacey Murdock.

This little cart has lots of tricks and magic to go with it, like a bubble machine. But I won’t tell you everything because I don’t want to ruin the surprise.

I am so impressed with the resources we have to work with for this touring production. The set alone is worth seeing - and I have a feeling the whole production will be just as exciting!

See you on the road!

Daniel Buchanan

Tenor, Portland Opera To Go