Ailyn Pérez makes her return to the Lyric Opera of Chicago to star as Adina in a new production of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore on September 26, 29, and October 2, 5, 8. Daniel Slater’s charming new production places the opera in the 1950s at a resort (the Hotel Adina) on Italy’s Amalfi Coast resort. Enrique Mazzola conducts.

Ms. Pérez stars alongside Charles Castronovo as Nemorino, Joshua Hopkins as Belcore, and Kyle Ketelsen as Dulcamara. Her previous portrayals as Adina have garnered critical acclaim with the Free Press Music Critic declaring: “A winsome Adina, Pérez’s soprano brought a graceful élan and subtle gradations of color to Donizetti’s agile melodies. … From beginning to end, I had a smile on my face.”

Photo: Chris Singer