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Plot Summary
Donizetti’s timeless comedy shines in Otto Schenk’s enchanting production, conducted by James Levine and featuring a remarkable cast. The incomparable Anna Netrebko is Norina, the young widow beloved by Ernesto (a suave Matthew Polenzani), who is about to be disinherited by his miserly uncle, Don Pasquale (John Del Carlo). It takes the clever scheming of Dr. Malatesta (Mariusz Kwiecien) to set things right and to teach the old curmudgeon a lesson—fits of temper, mistaken identities, and all kinds of comic confusion included. Anna Netrebko appears courtesy of Deustche Grammophon.
Customer Reviews
You’ll laugh out loud at this outrageous production of a Donizetti gem
It seems that the three Bel Canto operas [I Puritani; Lucia di Lammermoor; Don Pasquale] in the current iTunes offering are getting short shrift, but these are all top-notch operas by excellent composers, and the leading role of Anna Netrebko in each of these, makes them worthwhile viewing for her presence alone.
Besides, it is a relief to have at last one comic opera in the current mix of tragic endings. The story of Don Pasquale is reminiscent of the Figaro operas, although its story derives from a different source, characters of the Commedia dell’Arte, a popular Italian theme, seen also, although not as comedic, in I Pagliacci.
For Norina [Anna Netrebko] to marry sweetheart Ernesto, they must first convince his dotering and miserly uncle, Pasquale, not to. Luckily, scheming Doctor Malatesta is there to intervene by offering to Pasquale, as a bride, his “sister” [none other than Norina herself, of course], a sweet, simple country girl just out of the convent. But, the moment the bogus marriage contract is signed there is a change of habit, in more ways than one. She turns into every married man’s nightmare come true: pouty, petulant and worst of all, defiant – yup, defiant and independent. In the end Pasquale begs to get out of his bogus marriage contract even to the extreme of letting the young lovers wed instead.
Be prepared to be entertained. This is probably the greatest ensemble acting since the Marx Brothers. In fact, some of the hysterical staging even reminds me of the ever-irreverent Harpo.
John Del Carlo is completely believable in his role as the aged Pasquale, a role similar to his portrayal of Doctor Bartolo in the 2007 Met HD performance of the Barber of Seville [which we hope will be made available soon].
You won’t be disappointed with this hilarious production, so get out the popcorn. Once again, thank you Met HD and iTunes for bringing us these wonderful works.
Brava!
Another incredible performance by Anna Netrebko!!
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