When a Tenor meets a Baritone: Nemorino and Belcore Unmasked

In Irish National Opera’s new production, Italian bass-baritone Gianluca Margheri stars as the boastful Sergeant Belcore (Bajazet, 2022), while Seoul-born tenor Duke Kim (Faust, 2023) plays Nemorino, a shy but lovable peasant. Both characters lose their heart to the independent and sophisticated landowner Adina but winning hers is the real quest, and, of course, both have different ideas of how to spark Adina’s interest. But who knows which one their beloved will choose in the end? 

We sat down with these on-stage opponents to chat about their experience of working on INO’s new production of L’elisir d’amore.

In L'elisir d'amore, the “good guy” is a tenor, and the “bad guy” is a bass-baritone — is it always like that?

Gianluca Margheri: Not really. If that were true, all baritones and basses would be stuck playing cartoon villains forever. Sometimes, let’s be honest, the bass-baritone is just… cooler. And more fit. It happens.

Duke Kim: Most of the time the tenor ends up with the girl, but that does not mean that he’s always the “good” guy.

Is Nemorino really a good guy? He tries to trick Adina into falling for him…

Gianluca Margheri: Good guy? Maybe. Smart guy? Definitely not. It’s less about trickery and more of a romantic trainwreck. You kinda want to hug him, then hand him a self-help book.

Duke Kim: Nemorino does not have any ill intention in trying to make Adina fall in love with him by using the elixir. I think his love is really pure. But that does not give him an excuse to trick someone like that.

What’s your favorite thing about playing Nemorino/Belcore?

Gianluca Margheri: I love how Belcore is so full of himself, it’s basically performance art. He walks into a room like he’s doing everyone a favor just by existing.

Duke Kim: I like all the music that Nemorino gets to sing. Everything is so honest, and there is no hidden motive in his music. All his music is pure heart.

What parts of Belcore/Nemorino do you personally relate to? How do you get into his mindset before a performance?

Gianluca Margheri: I do enjoy a healthy dose of confidence now and then — but Belcore takes it to another level. Before going on stage, I just tell myself: “You are the best thing that ever happened to this village… and everyone knows it.”

Duke Kim: I can relate to being madly in love with someone, so these emotions come quite naturally to me.

What parts of this story still feel relevant today? (And honestly… when was the last time you used a love potion?) 

Gianluca Margheri: Love makes people do silly things — that part never gets old. And honestly, who needs a love potion when a well-timed Instagram story does the trick?

Duke Kim: I think everyone who has been in love has dreamt of somehow magically making someone fall in love with them. This idea has existed for as long as humans existed, and I think it’s quite natural.

If you had to sum it up, what’s the moral of L’elisir d’amore?

Gianluca Margheri: You don’t need a magic potion to make someone love you. Just be real. Be yourself. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen — no need to force it.

Duke Kim: That even if you are not desirable at first, feelings can change. What is important is that you treat the person that you like with respect.

The librettist originally disliked the famous aria Una furtiva lagrima — what’s your opinion? What does that aria add to the opera?

Gianluca Margheri: As an Italian, I have to say: without Una furtiva lagrima, L’elisir would be like pizza without cheese. Sure, it’s still technically pizza, but… why? That aria is the emotional heart of the whole piece — and honestly, I’m a bit jealous Belcore doesn’t get something like that!

Duke Kim: It adds real heart and soul to the opera. This way, the opera is not just about funny laughter. It’s about the human condition, and all the emotions become all the more real.

What’s been the highlight of the rehearsals for you so far? Any funny or unexpected moments?

Gianluca Margheri: Lately I’ve been more into heavier, more complex roles. But from day one, it’s been such a blast that now I’m thinking: who needs deep psychology when you can be loud, proud, and a little bit ridiculous?

Duke Kim: I get to drink real liquid on stage! I don’t think I have ever done that before.

If you could swap roles for one night — Gianluca singing Nemorino, Duke singing Belcore — what would be the biggest challenge for you?

Gianluca Margheri: I’d totally swap and sing Nemorino… if they paid me tenor fees. Otherwise? I’m good, thanks.

Duke Kim: It would be difficult to emulate Gianluca’s masculine charisma!

L'elisir d'amore is one of Donizetti’s most performed operas — what makes this INO production special for you?

Gianluca Margheri: It’s fresh, it’s playful, and it feels real. We’re having fun — but there’s genuine heart behind it all. You can feel it from the stage. What brings this whole cast together is the pure joy of creating something as a team. The energy is amazing, and we can’t wait to share it with the audience.

Duke Kim: It will be my professional debut of the role! I sang it 10 years ago in university, and I cannot wait to incorporate all the new skills that I’ve learned in the past 10 years. Also, it will be great to be back in the Gaiety Theatre!

Curious who is going to win the battle for Adina’s heart (and maybe also yours)? Catch L’elisir d’amore at:

• Gaiety Theatre, Dublin | Sunday 25 May – Saturday 31 May (Audio described performance Thursday 29 May, 7.30pm)

• National Opera House, Wexford | Wednesday 4 June

• Cork Opera House, Cork | Saturday 7 June

This article was written by INO Marketing Intern, Lilly Timme.