Don Pasquale

Opera

Writers: Gaetano Donizetti Giovanni Ruffini

Overview

Show Information

Category
Opera
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1843
Genres
Comedy, Farce, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
early 19th century, rome, italy
Cast Size
small
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
None
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes mature adult, young adult, adult characters

Synopsis

The wealthy old bachelor, Don Pasquale, has decided to take a wife so that he may produce an heir, cutting out his insubordinate nephew, Ernesto, out of his inheritance. Refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, Ernesto is devastated to think of a life without, Norina, a beautiful widowed woman in the village. Dottore Malatesta, a friend of Ernesto and Don Pasquale, helps the couple come up with a plan to trick Don Pasquale into giving the couple permission to be married with Ernesto’s inheritance. Disguised as a demure country girl, Norina is married to Don Pasquale in a fake ceremony and then wreaks havoc on Don Pasquale’s life. After a series of hilarious hijinks, the plan works, and Don Pasquale allows Ernesto to marry Norina, stating that marriage is not suited for an old man such as himself.

Lead Characters


Don Pasquale guide sections