THERE’S love in the air, or is it, as Duchy Opera uncork the Elixir of Love this week at theatres in Truro, Penzance and Falmouth.

Why do all the village girls adore young Nemorino? They never used to. It must be the special love potion he bought from a travelling doctor.

Except that the doctor is a con-man and the potion is just cheap wine. The real reason is quite different: the girls have heard he is to inherit a fortune, and that makes him so much more attractive.

The trouble is he only has eyes for the lovely Adina, a wealthy farm-owner, and there is a real danger she will marry the dashing sergeant. Will she choose action-man Belcore or dreamy Nemorino – or neither?

Confused? You won’t be when you’ve seen Duchy Opera’s new production of The Elixir of Love by Donizetti.

Designed by Kathy Brown, the opera is directed by Cornish-born Richard Jackson MA, himself a renowned baritone and teacher at all the major music colleges.

Soloists William Morgan, Elinor Chapman, Keith Sparrow, Ian Kinver, Frank Linn, Hannah Pascoe and Duchy Opera Chorus will be accompanied by an instrumental ensemble conducted by Duchy Opera’s musical director, Paul Drayton. Dulcamara’s assistant will be played by Dan Hargreaves.

The show comes to The Mylor Theatre, Truro College on October 29 and 30, before heading to St Mary’s Church on Saturday and the Princess Pavilion, Falmouth on Sunday.

All shows start at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 for adults or £7 for under 18s.

From www.crbo.co.uk or call 01726 879500