19 Facts About Don Pasquale

Don Pasquale is an opera buffa, or comic opera, in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti with an Italian libretto completed largely by Giovanni Ruffini as well as the composer.

Don Pasquale is recognizable as the blustery Pantalone, Ernesto as the lovesick Pierrot, Malatesta as the scheming Scapino, and Norina as a wily Columbina.

At its premiere Don Pasquale was performed by four of the most celebrated singers of the day and was an immediate success.

Ernesto has refused the woman that his uncle Don Pasquale had found for him, and as a result is to be disinherited.

In view of Ernesto's determination, Don Pasquale decides to marry in old age to produce his own heir, and anxiously awaits the arrival of his physician, Dr Malatesta, who is determined to teach Don Pasquale how foolish he is being, but has been pretending to search for a suitable bride.

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Malatesta, confronted with Don Pasquale's impatience, mutters that he is a buffoon, but proceeds to describe the attributes of the bride-to-be.

Ernesto comes back and pleads with the Don to consult with his friend Malatesta – when he hears that Malatesta supposedly supports Pasquale, he is amazed at this apparent betrayal.

Don Pasquale recites a passage, before laughing at the situation described and reflecting on her own temperament.

Don Pasquale is in cahoots with Dr Malatesta and impatiently waits for him to come and explain his plan at which he had only hinted.

Don Pasquale is smitten, and Norina plays the part of a dutiful, modest and submissive lady, to Don Pasquale's satisfaction.

Don Pasquale wants to send for the notary to conduct the ceremony straight away – conveniently, Malatesta has brought one along, who waits in the antechamber.

Don Pasquale is horrified at this transformation, while Malatesta and Ernesto can barely conceal their amusement.

Don Pasquale is stricken at his misfortune, so Malatesta urges him to go to bed.

Don Pasquale sits in a room, surrounded by piles of newly purchased jewels, dresses and the like, as the servants bustle in and out of Norina's apartment.

Don Pasquale calls for a servant to summon Malatesta, before leaving the room.

The doctor moves forward to greet Don Pasquale, who tells him of Norina's intended assignation, and his own plan to expose her unfaithfulness before a magistrate.

Malatesta persuades him to moderate his plan and Don Pasquale, believing him an ally, consents to his conditions, while plotting his revenge on Norina.

Don Pasquale refuses to leave at his demand, so Malatesta, as per his agreement with Pasquale, takes over.

Don Pasquale instructs Ernesto to send for his would-be bride, but Malatesta reveals that Norina is in fact the woman Pasquale thinks he married, while the real Sofronia remains in a convent.