Gaetano Donizetti’s most exquisite creation, a true crown jewel of the comic opera heritage, Don Pasquale, premiered on 3 January 1843, almost 180 years ago by the Théâtre-Italien at the Salle Ventadour in Paris with great success. The rumor runs that the composer created this phenomenal piece in about ten days. Donizetti always worked fast – 47 operas in 27 years – but in this case he outdid himself.
There was a rush and a peculiar story about the libretto too. In Autumn 1842, during the preparations of Donizetti’s operatic melodrama semiserio Linda di Chamounix, the director of the company commissioned a rush job – another opera buffa for the top-class cast of the production: Giulia Grisi, Antonio Tamburini, Luigi Lablache. It was decided to pick the libretto of Pavesi’s Il Dottor Antonio dated 1810, which had already been running at La Scala. The libretto of Donizetti’s masterpiece-to-be was amended by the Italian writer Giovanni Ruffini.
The first night was a huge success. Critics mentioned that Don Pasquale became the most prominent work ever written for the Théâtre-Italien. Certain numbers were demanded as an encore, singers and the maestro made multiple curtain calls. The show was on for almost three months. Also a special Malatesta / Don Pasquale duet (Cheti, cheti, immantinente) was written specially for a performance in Vienna, 1843.
The first time Don Pasquale was staged in Russia on 6 February 1845. It was performed by the Italian Imperial Opera featuring Pauline Viardot and Antonio Tamburini. A Russian company for the first time performed Donizetti’s masterpiece in Moscow, 1886. Howling success is following this production up to this day. This will be a first premiere for the Novosibirsk audience. Don Pasquale has never been mentioned in the theatre’s playbill before the upcoming premiere scheduled on August 2022.
In terms of plot, characters etc. this production follows all canons of classical Italian opera buffa. The action takes place in Rome, mid-19th century. The main character represents a typical figure of an old comedy – an elderly and wealthy bachelor, who is looking to get married. His name is Don Pasquale. He has a nephew, his only heir Ernesto. In the beginning we see Don Pasquale circle around the room – he’s plotting something for his wayward nephew.
There are four main characters in this opera: Don Pasquale, an old bachelor; Ernesto, his nephew, who lives with him; Norina, a youthful widow, Ernesto’s love interest; Dr. Malatesta, a primary care doctor and a plotter. They all seem to remind us of Italian traditional commedia dell’arte masks: Don Pasquale – Pantalone, Ernesto – lovesick Pierrot, Malatesta – plotter Scapino, Norina – cunning Colombina. However, this particular opera is considered the landmark work of Gaetano Donizetti, since it’s driven (in terms of comedy) by real people, not masks, true events instead of default plots, and last, but not least – pure, authentic emotions.
