by Annalou Mack

Created on: February 22, 2011   Last Updated: February 23, 2011

Don Pasquale, a comic opera in three acts with music by Gaetano Donizetti and words by Salvatore Cammarano, was first produced in Paris in 1843.  It has since been performed in opera houses in many parts of the world, including the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

The setting is in Rome in the early part of the nineteenth century.  The main characters are Don Pasquale, an old bachelor; Dr. Malatesta, his friend; Ernesto, his nephew; and Norina, a young widow.

In act one we find the old bachelor, Don Pasquale, telling his nephew, Ernesto, that he plans to marry in order to have an heir to his fortune.  He intends to punish Ernesto, whom Don Pasquale considers rebellious, and cut the nephew off without a penny.

Dr. Malatesta suggests that Don Pasquale marry the doctor’s young, beautiful sister, Norina.   Malatesta describes the girl as a timid, naïve, girl brought up in a convent. This delights Pasquale who asks the doctor to arrange a meeting between them immediately.

Furious that Ernesto refuses to marry a woman Pasquale has chosen for him, he orders his nephew out of the house and announces that he is about to be married.  Ernesto is devastated because he now has no inheritance, no lover and no future. He also feels betrayed by his friend Malatesta.

Malatesta explains the plot to Norina who is certain she will be able to charm Don Pasquale.  She is eager to play the role that will help her win Ernesto.

Act two opens with the interview between Norina and Don Pasquale.  Malatesta introduces the timid “Sofronia” whose modesty and grace charm the old man.  He insists that they marry at once.  The mock ceremony is hurriedly celebrated, but unfortunately Ernesto has not been made aware of the plot.  He bursts in upon them and accuses Norina of faithlessness.  Malatesta hurriedly whispers to Ernesto that the proceedings are bogus.

As soon as the document is signed, in which he gives his fortune to his bride, Norina suddenly becomes a different person.  She changes from a demure girl to a willful shrew. Don Pasquale is at a loss to know what happened to his quiet, sweet bride who now displays an ungovernable temper.

Act three is in two scenes. In the first scene we see the home filled with recently acquired purchases.  “Sofronia” is quite extravagant, amassing a stack of bills.  When the servants arrive carrying more purchases, Pasquale is furious and tries to assert his rights as a husband. “Sofronia” enters elegantly dressed for the theater and he tells her she cannot go.  She gives him a slap when he tries to bar her way.  In response he threatens her with divorce.  As “Sofronia” leaves, she drops a letter implying a rendezvous in the garden that night with an unknown suitor.

The second scene in the garden opens with Ernesto serenading Norina.  Pasquale appears but is too late to catch Ernesto.   “Sofronia”/Norina plays the innocent wife while Malatesta announces that Ernesto is soon to introduce his own bride into the house.  “Sofronia” declares that she will never share her home with another woman and threatens to leave.

Pasquale is overcome with joy and relief.  He gives Ernesto his inheritance along with permission to marry Norina.  Malatesta tells Pasquale that the wedding and the contract were all fictitious and that he is free.  It is all accepted with good humor and he gives the couple his blessing.  His final thoughts are that “marriage is not for an old man.”

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