Anthony Kearns Stars in Donizetti's ELIXIR OF LOVE, Opening Tonight at Gulfshore Opera

World renowned tenor Anthony Kearns will make his debut in the tenor role of "Nemorino" in Gulfshore Opera's new production of Gaetano Donizetti's comic opera, L'Elisir d'amore, opening tonight.

The fully-staged opera ("Elixir of Love") will be performed in two acts at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center tonight at 7:30 p.m. and at the Gulfshore Opera on April 21, 2016 at 8 p.m. with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. For tickets, go to www.gulfshoreopera.org/elixir.

Said Steffanie Pearce, Gulfshore Opera's general and artistic director, "It's a pleasure to work once again with the great tenor, Anthony Kearns. His voice is extraordinary, and what he brings to the stage can only be described as pure magic."

Pearce said Donizetti's beloved comedy brings to life the enduring story of "Nemorino," a poor villager in search of a magic potion to capture the heart of the unattainable Adina. Nemorino soon falls prey to the schemes of a quack doctor who sells him a potion to make his dreams of love come true.

"Anthony Kearns is perfect for this role, not only because of his rich, remarkable and powerful voice, but because he evokes an empathy for Nemorino that will surely win the hearts of our audience," she said.

"I'm delighted to be a part of this production of L'Elisir d'amore - an opera that is fast-paced, full of energy and life, and tugs at the heart with its beautiful music," said Mr. Kearns.

"The opera's premiere in Milan on May 12, 1832, was a triumph for Donizetti and secured his place as one of the leading Italian composers of his day. He was a master at combining plot, comedy and music. A perfect example is the heart-rendering aria, 'Una furtiva lagrima.' It's a classic tale, and I am looking forward to singing this role," he said.

L'Elisir d'amore has remained continually in the international opera repertory and is one of the most frequently performed of all of Donizetti's operas. Kearns previously worked with Ms. Pearce in her role as general director of Opera Naples. Kearns will perform alongside award-winning South African bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana and American soprano Danielle Talamantes. Ryan McAdams, a rising star on the conducting stage, will be the evening's conductor.

In 2010, Kearns performed in Opera Naples' rendition of Romeo and Juliet: Then and Now which combined Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet and Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story. Kearns returned the following year to perform "Edgardo" in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. In 2012, he sang the tenor role in Charles Gounod's Faust, a role he also performed with Opera Ireland (nominated for best production in the Irish Times Theater Awards).

Mr. Kearns' other opera credits include: "Don José" in the Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown Glasthule Opera Company's production of Georges Bizet's Carmen; the lead tenor with the Royal Dublin Society in The Lily of Killarney (part of "The Irish Ring" trilogy) which toured North America; the tenor role of "Don Ottavio," in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Lismore Music Festival' and "Alfred" in a concert-staged performance of Johann Strauss' operetta, Die Fledermaus with the Emerald City [Steamboat Springs, CO] Opera; and "Fenton" in Giuseppe Verdi's Falstaff (in Montepulciano, Italy).

Kearns also is well-known as a member of The Irish Tenors, with whom he has 10 CDs and five PBS Specials. In addition, his international solo career includes high-profile celebrity engagements, television appearances, concert tours, and collaborations with the finest orchestras. He has had the honor to perform for three U.S. presidents, and most recently at the final pre-Mass concert for Pope Francis I during his historic visit to America.

Earlier this year, Kearns headlined the international media launch of Ireland 2016 in New York City. In May, he will perform with mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The concert coincides with this year's larger global celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, which led to the independence of Ireland.

For more information, please contact Kirsten Fedewa (on behalf of Anthony Kearns): 202.365.6936 or inquiry@fedewaconsulting.com.

Pictured: Anthony Kearns as Romeo with Opera Naples.