PRESENTS:

Saturday, November 23, 8pm
Tuesday, November 26, 7pm
Friday, November 29, 8pm

Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Please note: There will be a gun shot in the show.

Running time is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.

A rootin’ tootin’ opera!

Saddle up for an evening of light-hearted laughter with this classic, very human tale of an ornery old fool cured of his desire to marry a much younger woman. Bachelorhood never looked so good!

Donizetti’s joyful music comes alive in this Hollywood version of the American West complete with bubble baths, bar girls and a Mariachi band.

Don Pasquale

Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Giovanni Ruffini and the composer
First performance: Théâtre Italien, Paris, January 3, 1843
Act 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 (“Bella siccome un angelo”). Feeling his youth returning, the delighted Pasquale tells Malatesta to arrange a meeting at once. Ernesto enters 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 (“Quel guardo il cavaliere”). Malatesta arrives. He is in fact plotting on her and Ernesto’s behalf and explains his plan: Norina is to impersonate his (nonexistent) 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 win Ernesto (Duet: “Pronta io son”).

Act II
Ernesto, who knows nothing of Malatesta’s scheme, laments the loss of Norina, imagining his future as an exile (“Cercherò lontana terra”). He leaves when Pasquale appears, impatient to meet his bride-to-be. The old man is enchanted when Malatesta introduces the timid “Sofronia” and decides to get married at once. During the wedding ceremony, Ernesto bursts in and accuses Norina of faithlessness. Malatesta quickly whispers an explanation 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, while Norina, Ernesto, and Malatesta enjoy their success (Quartet: “È rimasto là impietrato”).

Act 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 enters, dressed elegantly for the theater, and gives him a slap when he tries to bar her way. He threatens her with divorce, while she, in an aside, expresses sympathy for the old man’s pain (Duet: “Signorina, in tanta fretta”). 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 and leaves the servants to comment on working in a household fraught with such confusion. Malatesta then tells Ernesto to make sure that Pasquale will not recognize him when he plays his part in the garden that evening. Alone with Pasquale, Malatesta assures him they will trap “Sofronia” in a compromising situation (Duet: “Cheti, cheti, immatinente”). Pasquale agrees to leave everything to Malatesta.

In the garden, Ernesto serenades Norina, who responds rapturously (Duet: “Tornami a dir che m’ami”). They are interrupted by Pasquale and Malatesta—too late to catch the young man, who slips into the house while “Sofronia” plays the innocent wife. Malatesta 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 can hardly contain his joy and grants permission for Ernesto to marry Norina, with his inheritance. When Sofronia turns out to be Norina, Pasquale accepts the situation with good humor, gives the couple his blessing, and joins in observing that marriage is not for an old man (Finale: “La morale in tutto questo”).

The Artists

Don Pasquale
Peter Strummer
“There could hardly be a better Pasquale…”
– Daily Camera

Norina
Nikki Einfeld
“…a fresh voice, and a real flair for comedy, a delightful singing actress…”
– Vancouver Sun

Dr. Malatesta
Brett Polegato
“…lyric baritone carried magnificently…considerable presence.”
– Classical Source

Ernesto
Michele Angelini
“…a voice of silken loveliness as well as graceful agility.”
– Dallas Morning News

Director
Rob Herriot

Conductor
Tyrone Paterson