The Metropolitan Opera in New York City will broadcast Donizetti’s delightful romp of an opera “L’elisir d’amore” (“The Elixir of Love”) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.

The Sunrise Theater in downtown Southern Pines will air the live production in HD.

Set in Italy in 1836, “L’elisir” follows a peasant Nemorino (sung by Matthew Polenzani) and his quest for his love Adina (performed by Anna Netrebko).

The story opens on a group of villagers resting from their labors. Nemorino pines for the lovely Adina, but she is engrossed in a book — a book about the hero Tristan who fell slave to a love potion.

The handsome and rather self-assured sergeant Belcore (sung by Mariusz Kwiecien) enters to woo Adina. She rebuffs the soldier and is left alone with Nemorino, who professes his devotion to her while she does the same to her capriciousness in a beguiling duet.

Soon, the traveling snake oil salesman, Dr. Dulcamara (one of the greatest buffo characters in opera), here sung by Ambrogio Maestri, arrives to sell his wares. Nemorino asks if he has a love potion to sell, and Dulcamara, happy to oblige, sells him a bottle of Bordeaux with a warning that the elixir will not work until the following day.

Alas, things do not go as planned when Adina agrees to marry Belcore — and the wedding is set for that evening.

Nemorino, poor and in a panic, tries to borrow money from Belcore, and then joins the army for a signing bonus, which he spends on more wine.

When Nemorino arrives at the pre-wedding feast, he is swarmed by village girls, for they have all heard news he hasn’t: His aged uncle has died and left him his entire fortune.

Nemorino is sure that their attentions are due to the power of the potion and is certain that Adina, who enters feeling guilty about his enlistment, will fall in love with him now.

Instead, she leaves in a jealous snit. He later realizes that her jealousy proves that she does love him, and he expresses his love in the exquisite aria “Una furtiva lagrima.” Adina enters saying that she has bought back his enlistment, and Dulcamara, the traveling quack, reveals to all that Nemorino is now rich and with his beloved all due to the power of magical medicines.

For information about tickets, which are $25, visit www.sunrisetheater.com or call (910) 692-8501.