Original Italian vocal score reprintOriginale Partitura ItalianoPartitura original en ItalianoAct 1In the 19th century, in the Basque Country, Spain. A beautiful and wealthy landowner, Adina, reads the book while resting under the shade of a tree in her estate: "Tristan and Isolde" to the people in her village. A young and poor peasant villager, Nemorino, also listens to the story which she reads from a distance. In that story, Tristan takes the elixir of love, and Isolde falls passionately in love with him. Nemorino is sad because he is poor, loves Andina, and has nothing to offer her except his love. Andina ignores him. So, Nemorino thinks, "I'd like to get the elixir of love to win her heart. I wish it were true." Then, sergeant Belcore appears, and he attempts to seduce Adina who is the most beautiful lady in this village. He offer marriage to her. Andina politely tells him that she will think it over. Nemorino is frustrated by the appearance of a masculine rival.A traveling purveyor of medicines, Dulcamara, arrives in the village. He advertises a potion capable of curing anything. Nemorino asks him if he has the elixir of love, which Tristan took. Actually, Dulcamara is an impostor. He sells Nemorino a bottle of cheap wine, and explains to him, "This elixir will have an effect on you, tomorrow." Dulcamara intends to run away before this day is over.Nemorino tells Adina that she will fall in love with him the next day. Adina gets angry. She declares she is going to marry the sergeant Belcore, this day. Nemorino begs her to wait till the next day as he has a sick uncle and must go to take care of him. But Adina ignores him as she says that he has no time to love her.Act 2Nemorino attempts to buy one more bottle of elixir, but he doesn't have enough money. So, he decides to sign up for the army, in order to get the sign-up money they offer. Adina is given an account of Nemorino's plan from Dulcamara. Adina learning that Nemorino is willing to risk his life by entering the army is moved to tears by Nemorino's affection for her. Nemorino also notices her tears, and understands their meaning. Sgt. Belcore arrives to see the two in each others arms. Adina apologizes to him, and Belcore takes the news very well. He proclaims there are thousands of women in the world he can choose to marry. Adina pays Nemorino's sign-up bonus back to the sergeant, and marries Nemorino. After all, Dulcamara's elixir has an effect. Dulcamara peacefully leaves the village, not before selling dozens of bottles.