Don Pasquale

An elderly and wealthy bachelor, Don Pasquale, takes it into his head to marry a young girl – something he denies his nephew Ernesto, already engaged to the charming (but penniless) Norina. Fortunately, Doctor Malatesta concocts a clever stratagem to force him to change his mind. A fake marriage, a sweet bride turned harpy and a misunderstanding later, order is restored, in perfect keeping with the traditional framework of the commedia dell’arte . Premiered to great success in Paris in 1843, Don Pasquale showcases Gaetano Donizetti’s undeniable gift for comedy. In this sparkling score, the apotheosis of opera buffa , the composer leaves his unmistakeable mark: a bittersweet tenderness for his characters, even the crustiest old misers. Damiano Michieletto brings a sensitive and lively staging to this light-hearted work, where video cleverly reveals the gap between fantasy and reality.