Una furtiva lagrima best performance

Programmatic Elements
The aria “Una furtiva lagrima” occurs during the evening hours of the second act, as Nemorino comes to the realization that his beloved Adina finally reciprocates his affection.

Earlier that day, the dim-witted yet kind-hearted Nemorino purchased what he thought was an “elixir of love” from the traveling salesman Dulcamara, hoping that it would compel Adina to fall madly in love with him. Unbeknownst to Nemorino, however, the shrewd businessman Dulcamara had instead sold him an ordinary, everyday bottle of wine, explaining that the “elixir” needed twenty-four hours to go into effect (which, coincidentally, would be just enough time for Dulcamara to be safely on his way to the next town).

But Nemorino doesn’t have twenty-four hours, since Adina has promised to marry the charming Count Belcore that very night. Penniless and distraught, Nemorino makes the difficult decision to enlist in Belcore’s army so that he can afford more elixir.

He goes to Dulcamara and p