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Season 2022-23 / Operas

Don Pasquale

Running time: 160 minutes
Teatro Massimo
Tickets from € 18,00
Booking open on 09/01/2023

About

From 17 to 23 february 2023 |Main Stage, Teatro Massimo

Dramma buffo in three  acts
by Gaetano Donizetti

Conductor Michele Spotti
Director Damiano Michieletto
restaged by da Daniel Dooner
Scene Design Paolo Fantin
Costume Design Agostino Cavalca
Lighting Design Alessandro Carletti
Video Design Roland Horvath/Roca Film
Conductor Assistant Danila Grassi
Assistant Scene Design Piero De Francesco
Assistant Costume Design Camilla Masellis
Assistant Lighting Design Ludovico Gobbi

A new production of the Teatro Massimo in co-production with ROH Covent Garden and Opéra de Paris

 

Cast

Don Pasquale Michele Pertusi (17, 19, 21, 23) / Carlo Lepore (18, 22)
ErnestoRené Barbera (17, 19, 21, 23) / Ioan Hotea (18, 22)
Norina
Giuliana Gianfaldoni (17, 19, 21, 23) / Marina Monzò (18, 22)
Dottor Malatesta Markus Werba (17, 19, 21, 23) / Christian Senn (18, 22)
Notaio Enrico Cossutta

Teatro Massimo Orchestra and Chorus
Maestro del Coro Salvatore Punturo

More info

ATTO I

The old bachelor Don Pasquale plans to marry in order to punish his rebellious nephew, Ernesto, who is in love with the young widow Norina. Pasquale wants an heir so he can cut the young man off without a penny. He consults Dr. Malatesta, who suggests as a bride his own beautiful younger sister. Feeling rejuvenated, the delighted Pasquale asks Malatesta to arrange a meeting at once. Ernesto arrives and again refuses to marry a woman of his uncle’s choice. Pasquale tells him that he will have to leave the house, then announces his own marriage plans to his astonished nephew. With no inheritance, Ernesto sees his dreams evaporating. To make matters worse, he learns that his friend Malatesta has arranged Pasquale’s marriage. On her terrace, Norina laughs over a silly romantic story she’s reading. She is certain of her own ability to charm a man. Malatesta arrives. He is in fact plotting on her and Ernesto’s behalf and explains his plan: Norina is to impersonate his sister, marry Pasquale in a mock ceremony, and drive him to such desperation that he will be at their mercy. Norina is eager to play the role if it will help her and Ernesto to be together.

ATTO II

Ernesto, who knows nothing of Malatesta’s scheme, is desperate about the ap- parent loss of Norina and imagines his future as an exile. Pasquale, on the other hand, is impatient to meet his bride-to-be and enchanted when Malatesta introduces the timid “Sofronia.” Pasquale decides to get married at once. During the wedding ceremony, Ernesto bursts in. Malatesta quickly and quietly explains to him what is going on and Ernesto plays witness to the wedding contract. As soon as the document is sealed and Pasquale has signed over his fortune to his bride, Norina changes her act from demure girl to willful shrew. The shocked Pasquale protests, to the delight of Norina, Ernesto, and Malatesta.

ATTO III

Pasquale’s new “wife” has continued her extravagant ways and amassed a stack of bills. When servants arrive carrying more purchases, Pasquale furiously resolves to assert his rights as husband. Norina, dressed elegantly for the theater, slap him when he tries to bar her way, even if she feels sympathy for the old man’s pain. As she leaves, she drops a letter implying that she has a rendezvous with an unknown suitor in the garden that night. The desperate Pasquale sends for Malatesta. Malatesta first tells Ernesto to make sure that Pasquale will not recognize him when he plays his part in the garden that evening. Then, alone with Pasquale, Malatesta assures him they will trap “Sofronia” in a compromising situation. Pasquale is happy to leave everything to Malatesta.
In the garden, Ernesto serenades Norina, and the two declare their love. Pasquale and Malatesta arrive – too late to catch the young man, who slips into the house, while “Sofronia” plays the innocent wife. Malatesta then announces that Ernesto is about to introduce his own bride, Norina, into the house. “Sofronia” protests she will never share the roof with another woman and threatens to leave. Pasquale is overjoyed and grants permission for Ernesto to marry Norina, with his inheritance. When Sofronia’s identity is finally revealed, Pasquale accepts the situation with good humour: marriage is not for an old man.