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).