AUDIENCES in Edinburgh and Glasgow will be treated to a Roman holiday in January and February as Scottish Opera presents Donizetti’s masterpiece Don Pasquale for the first time since 1977.
Rome on the cusp of the Swinging Sixties provides the vibrant backdrop to this generational clash in a brand new production for Scottish Opera. Director, Renaud Doucet, and designer, André Barbe, bring their spellbinding storytelling back to Scotland after their five-star production of Manon in 2009.
This production of Donizetti’s opera buffa tells the story of Don Pasquale, who owns a run-down boarding house and has a fondness for – but a tragic allergy to – cats.
As his years advance, he worries that his nephew Ernesto will squander his inheritance by marrying the impoverished young widow Norina, so he determines to find a wife of his own to share his time – and his money – with.
But married life does not turn out to be the solution for Don Pasquale, who finds himself at the mercy of the young couple’s trickery in his old age.
Director, Renaud Doucet, said: “We’re really looking forward to bringing the warmth of Rome to Scottish audiences this winter. It’s the perfect story to lift the spirits – quirky, quick-witted and colourful.”
Designer, André Barbe, said: “We feel that the creative energy of Rome in the 1960s presents the perfect setting to showcase the clash of generations.
“By working faithfully with Donizetti’s dramatic score and the libretto, we want use the passion and energy of the setting to help tell this wonderful story.”
Alfonso Antoniozzi brings extensive opera buffa experience to the role of Don Pasquale, Nicholas Lester sings Dr Malatesta while internationally acclaimed tenor Aldo Di Toro is Ernesto. Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson, fresh from Scottish Opera’s production of Don Giovanni is Norina, while Scottish Opera Emerging Artist, Andrew McTaggart sings the baritone Notary.
Former Scottish Opera music director, Francesco Corti, is warmly welcomed back to conduct The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
ENDS
www.scottishopera.org.uk
Cast creative team
Alfonso Antoniozzi – Don Pasquale
Conductor Francesco Corti
Nicholas Lester – Dr Malatesta
Director Renaud Doucet
Aldo Di Toro – Ernesto
Designer André Barbe
Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson – Norina
Lighting Guy Simard
Andrew McTaggart – Notary
Performance diary
Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 3QA
Fri 24 Jan, Wed 29 Jan, Sat 1 Feb 7.15pm, Sun 26 Jan 4.00pm
Free events
Don Pasquale Unwrapped Thu 30 Jan 6.00pm
Pre-show talk Sat 1 Feb 6.00pm
Festival Theatre, 13–29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT
Tue 18, Thu 20, Sat 22 Feb 7.15pm
Free events
Don Pasquale Unwrapped Wed 19 Feb 6.00pm
Pre-show talk Sat 22 Feb 6.00pm
For additional press details please contact:
Kenny Young, Press Manager, 0141 242 0511, kenny.young@scottishopera.org.uk
Emma York, Press Officer, 0141 242 0552, emma.york@scottishopera.org.uk
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Contact: Kenny Young
Phone: 0141 242 0511
Email: Kenny.Young@scottishopera.org.uk
Website: http://www.scottishopera.org.uk
