Quanto è Bella, Quanto è Cara - from the Opera L'elisir d'amore

With his 'L'elisir d'amore' (The Elixer of Love), composed in 1832 Donizetti wrote something far greater than a mere comic opera: this was perhaps the first example of a moving, middleclass genre of theatre where the characters lose their farcical stereotyped characteristics and, thanks to clever writing, become much more realistic. 'L'elisir d'amore' was premiered in 1832 and was a huge success with the public and critics alike. And this, Donizetti's comic masterpiece, has continued to enjoy similar success right up to the present day. The aria 'Quanto è bella, quanto è cara' is sung by Nemorino in the first act and is still one of the favourites of the opera sung by all great lyric tenors.