Don Pasquale

Don Pasquale Gaetano Donizetti Palais Garnier Duration: 2h45 with 1 intermission Language: Italian Subtitles: French / English An old and wealthy bachelor, Don Pasquale, takes it upon himself to marry a young girl—which he refuses his nephew Ernesto, nevertheless engaged to charming (but poor) Norina.

Luckily, Doctor Malatesta concocts a clever scheme to force him to change his mind. A fake wedding, a sweet wife turned shrew, and a mix-up later, morality is restored, following the traditional commedia dell'arte format.

Created successfully in Paris in 1843, Don Pasquale testifies to Gaetano Donizetti's undeniable talent for comedy. In this spirited score, apex of opera buffa, the composer stamps his trademark: bittersweet tenderness for his characters, even when they're old codgers.

Damiano Michieletto brings to this light work sensitive and lively staging where video cleverly reveals the gap between fantasy and reality.

Speranza Scappucci Musical direction Damiano Michieletto Stage direction Olga Kulchynska Norina Lawrence Brownlee Ernesto Pietro Spagnoli Don Pasquale Vito Priante Doctor Malatesta Jian Hong Zhao A notary Paris National Opera Orchestra and Chorus Coproduction with Royal Ballet and Opera, Covent Garden, London and Teatro Massimo, Palermo