Capital Comedy Donizetti's 'Don Pasquale' - enjoyed by ROBERT ANDERSON 'The cast is admirable ...'

The last of Donizetti's comic operas was first seen at La Scala, Milan, and here we are again. Don Pasquale is now something of a dilettante, with bits of the ancient world placed strategically in a pleasant bachelor's study. On his desk is the Capitoline head of Constantine, brought down to manageable proportions. Two questions immediately arise. Why is an otherwise satisfactory room apparently open to a changeable sky and therefore to any elements that might decide to invade? And what can have persuaded an elderly man of obvious distinction to take a young bride prepared to indulge the most extravagant tastes? Of course it makes for capital comedy; but much of the time I felt deeply for the much-abused Pasquale.

Continue >>

For help listening to the sound extracts here, please refer to our questions & answers page.