Don Pasquale

Met audiences were so enchanted by emerging star Javier Camarena that they demanded an encore of his Act II aria in this rousing performance. Camarena is Ernesto, a young man who is desperate to marry the young widow Norina (Eleonora Buratto). The only problem is his wealthy, elderly uncle, Don Pasquale (played by the masterful Ambrogio Maestri), who will disinherit him if he marries against his uncle’s wishes. Enter the always enterprising Dr. Malatesta (Levente Molnár), who agrees to find a young, biddable wife for crotchety Don Pasquale—and convinces Norina to be part of a mock wedding to teach Pasquale a lesson. Her quiet shyness lasts only until the marriage contract is signed, then she turns into a vixen, leaving the bewildered Pasquale in turmoil—until all is revealed and the young couple can marry, with Don Pasquale’s blessing. Maurizio Benini conducts.