Don Pasquale
Gaetano DonizettiAPRIL 26, MAY 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14*, AND 18, 2024
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Performance time is approximately two hours and 15 minutes, including one 25-minute intermission
Buy now as part of a 2023/24 Subscription Package!
Plus, enjoy our one-night-only Ensemble Studio performance!*
This new production marks the first appearance of Don Pasquale at the COC in 30 years. Making their company debut, the French-Canadian creative team of Renaud Doucet and André Barbe place this fizzy, feel-good comedy in 1960s Rome, topping it with Technicolor visuals and Pop Art aplomb.
*ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 7:30 p.m.
Show your support for the next generation of opera voices with a special, one-night-only performance of Don Pasquale, featuring the artists of the COC Ensemble Studio. This presentation will strengthen the country’s leading career development program for emerging opera artists, while celebrating their exceptional talents.
Learn more here!
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAMS
Conductor: Jacques Lacombe
Stage Direction, Dramaturgy, Set & Costume Design: Barbe & Doucet
Assistant Director: Marilyn Gronsdal
Lighting Designer: Guy Simard
Price Family Chorus Master: Sandra Horst
Stage Manager: Lesley Abarquez
Assistant Stage Manager: Meghan Speakman
Assistant Stage Manager: Jessica Severin
Fight and Intimacy Coordinator: Siobhan Richardson
Don Pasquale: Misha Kiria
Dr. Malatesta: Joshua Hopkins
Norina: Simone Osborne
Ernesto: Santiago Ballerini
With the COC Orchestra and Chorus
A production from Scottish Opera
Sandra Horst and the COC Chorus are generously underwritten by Tim & Frances Price
SYNOPSIS IN A MINUTE
Elderly Don Pasquale refuses his nephew Ernesto permission to marry Norina, and decides to get married himself. Dr. Malatesta schemes to bring the young lovers together by having Norina pose as his demure sister “Sofronia,” offering her to Pasquale in a fake marriage. Pasquale is delighted, until his new young wife turns into a harridan, making his life a misery. When “Sofronia” declares that she will never share her home with another woman (Norina), Pasquale takes the opportunity to force her out, forgives the plotters, and blesses the marriage of Norina and Ernesto at last.
FULL SYNOPSIS
Previously …
Don Pasquale has arranged for his nephew Ernesto to marry a rich young woman. But Ernesto has rebelled, insisting that he will marry instead the young but poor widow Norina. To teach Ernesto a lesson, Don Pasquale plans to marry and thereby cut off his nephew from his
Inheritance.
ACT I
Don Pasquale has a visitor, his friend Dr Malatesta. Witnessing the conflict between the generations, and eager to show Don Pasquale the error of his ways, Malatesta has been pretending to search for a wife for him. He suggests his angelic sister Sofronia as a suitable
bride. Don Pasquale cannot contain his delight and sends Malatesta to fetch her.
Ernesto arrives. His uncle once again outlines his marriage plans for him. Ernesto insists that he will marry Norina. Don Pasquale threatens to throw Ernesto out if he persists in following this course of action. Matters get worse for Ernesto when he learns that Don Pasquale is planning to marry Sofronia – his home, his marriage and his inheritance are all now in jeopardy.
Norina is in on Malatesta’s plan to dupe Don Pasquale. Malatesta, and a letter for Norina from Ernesto, arrive. Ernesto is furious: Malatesta hasn’t had time to tell him the plan. Malatesta assures Norina that Ernesto will come round once their plan is put into action. Norina will impersonate Sofronia, who is in a convent, and undergo a mock marriage to Don Pasquale conducted by Malatesta’s cousin.
ACT II
Ernesto is in the depths of despair, preparing to leave Rome – and Norina – for ever, convinced that he has been betrayed by Malatesta.
Don Pasquale is preparing for the arrival of his bride. Malatesta arrives with Norina, aka Sofronia. Don Pasquale is immediately taken with her beauty and modesty, and impressed by her range of domestic skills. The notary is called to carry out the ceremony.
As Sofronia signs the wedding contract, Ernesto arrives. He is astounded to be asked to witness the marriage of his uncle and his beloved. Malatesta takes him aside to bring him up to speed.
As Don Pasquale makes to embrace his bride, he encounters a very different Sofronia. Taking complete charge of proceedings, she berates her new husband for being old and unfit, doubles the existing staff’s wages and arranges for a total redecoration. Don Pasquale is beside himself.
INTERVAL
ACT III
Don Pasquale is faced with a mountain of bills run up by his new wife. Sofronia arrives to say that she is going to the theatre – on their wedding night – alone. There is a scene. She leaves a letter purporting to come from a secret admirer and arranging an assignation; the lover will announce his presence with a serenade. Don Pasquale picks up the note and determines to catch his wife and her lover red-handed. He calls for Malatesta.
The staff complain among themselves at the amount of work they are being asked to do.
Malatesta and Ernesto confirm the details of their subterfuge. Don Pasquale explains his plight to his friend. Malatesta feigns astonishment that Sofronia could behave in such a way. Don Pasquale is determined to find Sofronia’s lover, and Malatesta suggests that they eavesdrop on the couple.
Ernesto serenades Norina, and they sing of their love for each other. Don Pasquale and Malatesta overhear. They confront ‘Sofronia’ but Ernesto slips away. Don Pasquale bans his wife from the house. She refuses. Malatesta steps in. He persuades Don Pasquale that the only way to get his wife to leave is to allow Ernesto to marry his beloved, whom, he claims, Sofronia dislikes.
Ernesto is summoned. Don Pasquale sends him to fetch his bride, who is revealed to be Norina. Don Pasquale relents – he has learned his lesson – and forgives the lovers.
.jpg?w=300&h=300&c=3)
.jpg?w=300&h=300&c=3)
.jpg?w=300&h=300&c=3)
Born in Bergamo, Italy on November 29, 1797;
died in Bergamo, Italy on April 8, 1848
Gaetano Donizetti was an Italian composer whose operas were among the greatest of the Italian Romantic period of the 1830s and 1840s. He achieved tremendous success in his lifetime, which is not always the case with artists! His compositional style took the Italian tradition of bel canto and gave it more dramatic urgency. Anticipating the theatrical operatic genius of Giuseppe Verdi and the verismo movement, Donizetti’s creative output ranged from sparkling comedies such as L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love, 1832), La fille du régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment, 1840) and Don Pasquale (1843); to serious dramas such as Lucia di Lammermoor and three of his operas inspired by the Tudor period, Anna Bolena (Anne Boleyn, 1830), Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart, 1835) and Roberto Devereux (1837).
- Lindsay Barrett
- Christina Bell
- Virginia Hatfield
- Ilona Karan
- Alexandra Lennox
- Eve Rachel McLeod
- Jennifer Robinson
- Teresa van der Hoeven
- Ilana Zarankin
Mezzo-Sopranos
- Susan Black
- Sandra Boyes
- Wendy Hatala Foley
- Erica Iris Huang
- Kathryn (Katie) Knapp
- Rachel Miller
- Karen Olinyk
- Lyndsay Promane
- Megan Quick
- Lisa Spain
Tenors
- Vanya Abrahams
- Stephen Bell
- Taras Chmil
- Marcel d'Entremont
- Ryan Downey
- Stephen Erickson
- Stephen McClare
- Derrick Paul Miller
- Daevyd Pepper
- David Walsh
Basses/Baritones
- Grant Allert
- Bradley Christensen
- Sung Chung
- Jesse Clark
- Bruno Cormier
- Keith Lam
- Jason Nedecky
- Michael Sproule
- Gene Wu
- Michael York
COC NEWS: 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DON PASQUALE
COC NEWS: THE MUSIC OF DON PASQUALE
-
Sung in Italian with English SURTITLESTM
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAMS
Conductor: Jacques Lacombe
Stage Direction, Dramaturgy, Set & Costume Design: Barbe & Doucet
Assistant Director: Marilyn Gronsdal
Lighting Designer: Guy Simard
Price Family Chorus Master: Sandra Horst
Stage Manager: Lesley Abarquez
Assistant Stage Manager: Meghan Speakman
Assistant Stage Manager: Jessica Severin
Fight and Intimacy Coordinator: Siobhan Richardson
Don Pasquale: Misha Kiria
Dr. Malatesta: Joshua Hopkins
Norina: Simone Osborne
Ernesto: Santiago Ballerini
With the COC Orchestra and Chorus
A production from Scottish Opera
Sandra Horst and the COC Chorus are generously underwritten by Tim & Frances Price -
SYNOPSIS IN A MINUTE
Elderly Don Pasquale refuses his nephew Ernesto permission to marry Norina, and decides to get married himself. Dr. Malatesta schemes to bring the young lovers together by having Norina pose as his demure sister “Sofronia,” offering her to Pasquale in a fake marriage. Pasquale is delighted, until his new young wife turns into a harridan, making his life a misery. When “Sofronia” declares that she will never share her home with another woman (Norina), Pasquale takes the opportunity to force her out, forgives the plotters, and blesses the marriage of Norina and Ernesto at last.
FULL SYNOPSIS
Previously …
Don Pasquale has arranged for his nephew Ernesto to marry a rich young woman. But Ernesto has rebelled, insisting that he will marry instead the young but poor widow Norina. To teach Ernesto a lesson, Don Pasquale plans to marry and thereby cut off his nephew from his
Inheritance.
ACT I
Don Pasquale has a visitor, his friend Dr Malatesta. Witnessing the conflict between the generations, and eager to show Don Pasquale the error of his ways, Malatesta has been pretending to search for a wife for him. He suggests his angelic sister Sofronia as a suitable
bride. Don Pasquale cannot contain his delight and sends Malatesta to fetch her.
Ernesto arrives. His uncle once again outlines his marriage plans for him. Ernesto insists that he will marry Norina. Don Pasquale threatens to throw Ernesto out if he persists in following this course of action. Matters get worse for Ernesto when he learns that Don Pasquale is planning to marry Sofronia – his home, his marriage and his inheritance are all now in jeopardy.
Norina is in on Malatesta’s plan to dupe Don Pasquale. Malatesta, and a letter for Norina from Ernesto, arrive. Ernesto is furious: Malatesta hasn’t had time to tell him the plan. Malatesta assures Norina that Ernesto will come round once their plan is put into action. Norina will impersonate Sofronia, who is in a convent, and undergo a mock marriage to Don Pasquale conducted by Malatesta’s cousin.
ACT II
Ernesto is in the depths of despair, preparing to leave Rome – and Norina – for ever, convinced that he has been betrayed by Malatesta.
Don Pasquale is preparing for the arrival of his bride. Malatesta arrives with Norina, aka Sofronia. Don Pasquale is immediately taken with her beauty and modesty, and impressed by her range of domestic skills. The notary is called to carry out the ceremony.
As Sofronia signs the wedding contract, Ernesto arrives. He is astounded to be asked to witness the marriage of his uncle and his beloved. Malatesta takes him aside to bring him up to speed.
As Don Pasquale makes to embrace his bride, he encounters a very different Sofronia. Taking complete charge of proceedings, she berates her new husband for being old and unfit, doubles the existing staff’s wages and arranges for a total redecoration. Don Pasquale is beside himself.
INTERVAL
ACT III
Don Pasquale is faced with a mountain of bills run up by his new wife. Sofronia arrives to say that she is going to the theatre – on their wedding night – alone. There is a scene. She leaves a letter purporting to come from a secret admirer and arranging an assignation; the lover will announce his presence with a serenade. Don Pasquale picks up the note and determines to catch his wife and her lover red-handed. He calls for Malatesta.
The staff complain among themselves at the amount of work they are being asked to do.
Malatesta and Ernesto confirm the details of their subterfuge. Don Pasquale explains his plight to his friend. Malatesta feigns astonishment that Sofronia could behave in such a way. Don Pasquale is determined to find Sofronia’s lover, and Malatesta suggests that they eavesdrop on the couple.
Ernesto serenades Norina, and they sing of their love for each other. Don Pasquale and Malatesta overhear. They confront ‘Sofronia’ but Ernesto slips away. Don Pasquale bans his wife from the house. She refuses. Malatesta steps in. He persuades Don Pasquale that the only way to get his wife to leave is to allow Ernesto to marry his beloved, whom, he claims, Sofronia dislikes.
Ernesto is summoned. Don Pasquale sends him to fetch his bride, who is revealed to be Norina. Don Pasquale relents – he has learned his lesson – and forgives the lovers. -
-
Gaetano Donizetti
Born in Bergamo, Italy on November 29, 1797;
died in Bergamo, Italy on April 8, 1848
Gaetano Donizetti was an Italian composer whose operas were among the greatest of the Italian Romantic period of the 1830s and 1840s. He achieved tremendous success in his lifetime, which is not always the case with artists! His compositional style took the Italian tradition of bel canto and gave it more dramatic urgency. Anticipating the theatrical operatic genius of Giuseppe Verdi and the verismo movement, Donizetti’s creative output ranged from sparkling comedies such as L’elisir d’amore (The Elixir of Love, 1832), La fille du régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment, 1840) and Don Pasquale (1843); to serious dramas such as Lucia di Lammermoor and three of his operas inspired by the Tudor period, Anna Bolena (Anne Boleyn, 1830), Maria Stuarda (Mary Stuart, 1835) and Roberto Devereux (1837). -
Sopranos
- Lindsay Barrett
- Christina Bell
- Virginia Hatfield
- Ilona Karan
- Alexandra Lennox
- Eve Rachel McLeod
- Jennifer Robinson
- Teresa van der Hoeven
- Ilana Zarankin
Mezzo-Sopranos
- Susan Black
- Sandra Boyes
- Wendy Hatala Foley
- Erica Iris Huang
- Kathryn (Katie) Knapp
- Rachel Miller
- Karen Olinyk
- Lyndsay Promane
- Megan Quick
- Lisa Spain
Tenors
- Vanya Abrahams
- Stephen Bell
- Taras Chmil
- Marcel d'Entremont
- Ryan Downey
- Stephen Erickson
- Stephen McClare
- Derrick Paul Miller
- Daevyd Pepper
- David Walsh
Basses/Baritones- Grant Allert
- Bradley Christensen
- Sung Chung
- Jesse Clark
- Bruno Cormier
- Keith Lam
- Jason Nedecky
- Michael Sproule
- Gene Wu
- Michael York
-
COC NEWS: 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DON PASQUALE
COC NEWS: THE MUSIC OF DON PASQUALE
2023/2024 season creative: BT/A