Don Pasquale
‘Little does Don Pasquale know the tempest that is about to break over his head…’. Happy wife, happy life.
Performance Dates
About the opera
Happy wife, happy life.
Miserly old bachelor Don Pasquale vows to get married and cut his nephew Ernesto out of his will. But Ernesto and his beloved Norina set a trap, producing the perfect young wife who’ll make his life such a misery that he’ll do anything to be rid of her…
Donizetti’s ‘most Mozartean’ opera is the climax of a whole career – an uproarious domestic comedy that displays as much invention and sophistication as any of his mature tragedies. Cynical scheming meets true love in an intrigue that’s as tightly crafted as its score.
Full of sparkling solo numbers and dazzling ensembles, this fast-paced farce tumbles from laughter to love and back again in a second. There’s plenty of musical sweetness, but also a sharp edge to a comedy that cuts to the heart of human nature.
Mariame Clément’s elegant production returns, conducted by Ben Glassberg.
A revival of the Festival 2011 production. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.
Creative team
Conductor
Ben Glassberg
Director
Mariame Clément
Revival Director
Ian Rutherford
Designer
Julia Hansen
Lighting Designer
Bernd Purkrabek
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Leader
Kati Debretzeni
The Glyndebourne Chorus
Chorus Director
Aidan Oliver
Cast includes
Don Pasquale
José Fardilha
Dr Malatesta
Huw Montague Rendall
Ernesto
Josh Lovell
Norina
Erin Morley
A Notary
Patrick Alexander Keefe*+
Servant
Anna-Marie Sullivan
* Soloist from The Glyndebourne Chorus
+ Jerwood Young Artist 2022
Assistant Conductor
Chloe Rooke
Music Preparation
Benedict Kearns
Henry Websdale
Language Coach
Alessandra Testai
Staff Director
Adam Torrence
Supertitles
Ian Julier
Gaetano Donizetti: Don Pasquale, ‘Dramma Buffo’ in 3 atti
Critical edition by Piero Rattalino © Casa Ricordi, Milano (Universal Music Publishing Group)
By arrangement with G. Ricordi & Co. (London) Ltd.
Photos by Clive Barda
Don Pasquale is available to support from £5000+
Join a Production Circle or Syndicate
Contact our Director of Development, Helen McCarthy – helen.mccarthy@glyndebourne.com
Illustration © Katie Ponder