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Don Pasquale
by Gaetano Donizetti

Dramma buffo in three acts

Libretto by Giovanni Ruffini and the composer after Angelo Anelli’s libretto for Stefano Pavesi’s Ser Marcantonio

First performance: Paris; Théâtre Italien, January 3, 1843

Sung in Italian with English supertitles above the stage

 

Don Pasquale is the 69th of Donizetti’s 71 operas. One of the world’s greatest operatic comedies contains a plot as old as time. The characters and their roles in the farce are clearly based on commedia dell’arte – Italian improvised comedies. Pasquale is the old bachelor who always has an eye for the young ladies; Malatesta is the Doctor whose attitude and carriage is of profound erudition – but whose wisdom is questionable; Ernesto is the young, passionate and often witless lover; and Norina is the willful, vivacious young woman caught in the center of the intrigues.  Fashioned for four incredible singers / comic actors and a chorus, the story is durable and timeless, the music is charming, buoyant and as enduring as springtime itself!

 

CAST (in order of vocal appearance):

Servants

Cast and opera are subject to change without notice.

 

PRODUCTION:

 

SETTING: Rome, about 1805

 

Synopsis:

Act I, Scene 1:

The old bachelor, Don Pasquale, is going to show his nephew a thing or two. The young man has rejected the girl chosen for him by Pasquale and insists on marrying one Norina whom Pasquale has never met but whose breeding would seem to be questionable. Pasquale has decided to disinherit the young rebel and choose a bride for himself. Ernesto is shocked and incredulous. Pasquale consults with his good friend Dr. Malatesta who tells him that he has the perfect girl in mind. It is his own sister, just returned from conservative, proper schooling at a convent. Pasquale insists that his friend bring the girl to him immediately. When Ernesto returns and is told the news, he is despondent with the sudden reversal of his fortunes, and to make matters even worse, it appears that Malatesta, whom he thought to be a friend, has betrayed him.

Scene 2:

Norina reads a romantic novel and reflects on the fact that she can handle men far better than its heroine. She is momentarily depressed by a farewell note from Ernesto, but Malatesta arrives and they plan the strategy of their little intrigue. Nornina will impersonate Malatesta’s sister – a simple and shy little girl fresh from a convent. She proves herself to be an actress of conviction and flair.

Act II:

Ernesto bewails his fate and limps out to revel in despair. Malatesta arrives with “Sophronia” and Pasquale is delighted. When the veil is lifted the old man can hardly contain himself and wants to proceed with the marriage immediately. Malatesta has brought along a notary just in case, Ernesto bursts in to see his uncle and is invited to remain as a witness. Lest he ruin the whole plan, Malatesta fills him in as quickly and efficiently as possible. Pasquale makes a special point to bequeath his fortune to his intended and the contract is sealed. Almost immediately the bride Sophronia changes from a country maid to a shrew. Nothing is right about the old man or his household. Servants must be engaged, furniture replaced, carriages and horses purchased. Ernesto is delighted and Pasquale is devastated by the prospects for his future.

Act III, Scene 1:

The living room is in the midst of redecoration, and Pasquale is surrounded by bills. New purchases arrive, and he resolves to confront Sophronia. She enters on the way to the theatre and, when he bars her way, she slaps him. She assures him that she will wake him in the morning, and Pasquale mutters that he will bar the door. On the way out she drops a note that Pasquale believes to be a bill, but, upon examining it, it is clearly an invitation by a lover to a tryst in the garden that very night. Pasquale sends for Malatesta. Servants swarm about commenting on the confusion. Malatesta arrives and speaks briefly with Ernesto about the garden assignation. Malatesta plots with Pasquale just how they will go about trapping Sophronia in the garden with her lover.

Scene 2:

Ernesto serenades Nornina in the beautiful starlit garden. The idyll is interrupted by Malatesta and Pasquale, but Ernesto has escaped. Malatesta tells Pasquale to go along with him and announces to Norina that another lady will be joining her in the house, namely Ernesto’s bride. Norina feigns anger at the very thought of such a thing and says she would rather leave than share female control of the household. Pasquale is overjoyed and insists that the marriage take place immediately and adds that inheritance will be restored. Pasquale is dumbfounded at the revelation that Sophronia is indeed Norina, but any resentment of the conspirators is offset by his intense relief. Norina restores his belief in womankind and himself, and the couple is off to live happily (?) ever after.