Una furtiva lagrima (Romance)

L'elisir d'amore is an opera composed by Gaetano Donizetti, based on an earlier libretto for Daniel Auber's opera "Le philtre". It premiered on 12 May 1832 in Milan and has since become part of the standard opera repertoire.

The opera is a comedic love story about Nemorino, a simple peasant, who falls in love with Adina, a wealthy and beautiful landowner. To win Adina's heart, Nemorino buys a love potion from the traveling quack Doctor Dulcamara, hoping it will make her fall in love with him.

In the second act of the opera, Nemorino sings the aria "Una furtiva lagrima" as he expresses his love for Adina and his hope that the love potion is starting to work. The aria is a poignant moment in the opera, as Nemorino bares his soul and reveals his true feelings. It showcases Donizetti's mastery of bel canto and storytelling, and is considered one of the greatest tenor arias in the operatic repertoire.

• Nemorino