Don Pasquale Photo Gallery

Photos by Kathleen Behnke

About

Don Pasquale

by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Giovanni Ruffini and Gaetano Donizetti

Love. ‘It’s complicated…’

And Pasquale finds out just how complicated when he meddles in a young couple’s true love! With the help of the clever Dr. Malatesta, the lovers devise a “be careful what you wish for” scheme to teach him a lesson – she marries him! Donizetti’s hilarious love triangle sparkles with virtuosity & humor. Fun for the entire family. Sung in Italian with English supertitles so you’ll understand every word and ALL the comedy!

Come smile with us!

Family friendly and suitable for all ages

Performance Dates

Friday, November 3 @ 8:00 PM – Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, November 4 @ 8:00 PM – Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, November 5 @ 4:00 PM – Discovery Theatre in the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts

The Cast

Production Team


Philip CokorinosDon Pasquale

Lindsay OhseNorina

Craig Kier – Conductor

David Lefkowich – Stage Director

Daniel BatesErnesto

Eric McKeever – Dr. Malatesta

Carrie Yanagawa – Set Designer

Cedar Cussins – Lighting Designer
emily-butzi-headshot

Stage Manager –
Emily Butzi


Hair & Make-up Designer –
Elle Janecek

Chorus Master – Richard Gordon

Synopsis

ACT I
Scene 1: A room in Don Pasquale’s house
The elderly bachelor Don Pasquale impatiently awaits his friend Dr. Malatesta, whose help he has enlisted in finding a wife so that he can produce direct heirs and disinherit his rebellious nephew, Ernesto. Malatesta, who is also a friend of Ernesto’s, arrives and tells Don Pasquale of the beautiful, pure young woman he has found for him—supposedly Malatesta’s own sister, ‘Sofronia’. Pasquale is delighted; Malatesta, as he leaves, promises to bring her the next day. Pasquale cannot contain his joy and fantasizes about the half-dozen children he will have with her. Ernesto arrives and Don Pasquale reminds his nephew that he has offered to wed him to a wealthy lady on pain of disinheritance if he refuses. Ernesto refuses again for he intends to marry his true love, the young widow Norina, an actress of humble origins.

Scene 2: The garden outside Norina’s house
Norina, is reading a new romantic script and laughs at the wiles of the women in the play, contrasting their cunning with her own. Malatesta arrives and tells her of the scheme he has hatched to help her and Ernesto marry. Norina will be introduced to Pasquale as Malatesta’s sister ‘Sofronia’, fresh from the convent. After they are ‘married’ by a false notary, Pasquale will be at their mercy.

Act II
Disowned by Pasquale, Ernesto feels he cannot ask Norina to share his poverty and prepares to depart the country
Malatesta arrives at Pasquale’s house with ‘Sofronia’, apparently shy and afraid of men. Pasquale proposes and she accepts. Malatesta’s false notary draws up the contract, making Sofronia mistress of the house and owner of half of Pasquale’s goods. The ceremony done, Sofronia instantly transforms into a domineering, spendthrift shrew and appoints Ernesto her escort.

Act III
Scene 1: The same room in Don Pasquale’s house

Don Pasquale, his home completely revamped by Norina/Sofronia, examines the bills with horror. Norina enters, dressed up to go to the theatre. Pasquale tries to stop her, but ‘Sofronia’ treats him harshly. As she leaves, she deliberately drops a piece of paper. Pasquale discovers that it is a note from ‘Sofronia’s lover arranging a tryst in the garden that evening. Pasquale sends for Malatesta and shows him the note. They agree to confront the lovers in the garden that night.

Scene 2: The garden outside Don Pasquale’s house
Ernesto serenades Norina, and they sing of their love. Pasquale and Malatesta spy on them and then ambush them, but Ernesto escapes unrecognized. ‘Sofronia’ denies her guilt and refuses to leave, but Malatesta persuades her that she cannot stay, as Norina is to arrive tomorrow as Ernesto’s bride. Pasquale is thus forced to accept Ernesto’s chosen wife in order to get rid of his own. When the truth is finally revealed, Pasquale forgives the youngsters, all are reconciled, and everyone lives happily ever after!

Free Pre-Opera Talks

Plan to join us one hour before each show in the Discovery Theatre for an informative exploration of the show. Learn fascinating facts and historical background before the curtain goes up.

We are proud to present our colleague in the arts, Michael Jungreis, as the your Pre-Opera Talk Host. Michael is well-known to Anchorage audiences as the host of KLEF’s “Saturday Night at the Opera”.

Friday, Nov 3 at 7:00 pm in the Discovery Theatre Parterre
Saturday, Nov 4 at 7:00 pm in the Discovery Theatre Parterre
Sunday, Nov 5 at 3:00 pm in the Discovery Theatre Parterre

Sponsors

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