Don Pasquale : Estonian National Opera
About the Event
Since its premiere, “Don Pasquale” has delighted audiences worldwide. Donizetti created a thoroughly comic situational comedy with psychologically differentiated, highly contradictory individuals packed with emotional vulnerability.
Don Pasquale, a wealthy old bachelor, is outraged when he hears his nephew Ernesto intends to marry the simple girl Norina. He determines to marry himself and disinherit Ernesto. Ernesto and Norina despair, but their friend Doctor Malatesta comes to aid in order to teach Pasquale a lesson. They plot an intricate plan: Malatesta persuades Norina to disguise herself as his sister, then presents her to Don Pasquale as a humble and obedient bride to be. Pasquale is delighted! They are immediately married by a fake notary, after which she turns into a she‐devil making Don Pasquale bitterly regret his decision … How it all ends is a mystery even to the characters themselves!
Since its premiere, “Don Pasquale” has delighted audiences worldwide. At the time when opera buffa was on the wane, with its stock characters drawing largely on Pantalone, Harlequin, Pierrot, etc Donizetti created a thoroughly comic situational comedy with psychologically differentiated, highly contradictory individuals packed with emotional vulnerability. Giorgio Bongiovanni’s exhilarating production shows how contemporary the characters still are and how immediate and touching the story remains.
Practical Information
Performed in Italian, subtitles in Estonian and English
Cast / Production
CONDUCTORS
Arvo Volmer
Vello Pähn
STAGE DIRECTOR
Giorgio Bongiovanni
DESIGNER
Maria Carla Ricotti
LIGHTING
Claudio De Pace
