Be cautious what you would like for they are saying, and there’s no higher illustration of that than in Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. This autumn, Scottish Opera revive Renaud Doucet and André Barbe’s vibrant and characterful 2014 manufacturing of the comedian masterpiece.
Corpulent cat lover Don Pasquale (David Stout) runs his crumbling pensione with solely his chain-smoking chambermaid (Frances Morrison-Allen), greasy cook dinner (Steven Faughey) and decrepit porter (Jonathan Sedgwick) for firm.
With a lonely previous age approaching and a nephew Ernesto (Filipe Manu) intent on getting his arms on his promised inheritance with a view to marry his beloved, the younger widow Norina (Simone Osborne) relatively than the wealthy woman Pasquale has picked for him. Pasquale determines to seek out himself a younger spouse to offer him with a brand new inheritor and disinherit younger Ernesto. However, Ernesto, Norina and Dr Malatesta (Josef Jeongmeen Ahn) produce other plans. When a full of life, younger (and decidedly feline) contender Sofrina arrives, sister of Dr Malatesta, contemporary from the convent (within the type of a disguised Norina). Sofrina’s harmless and beguiling veil (fairly actually) drops when the 2 are wed and he or she begins spending cash likes there’s no tomorrow. Don Pasquale finds out that marriage isn’t precisely the mattress of roses he anticipated.
Re-set to Rome within the Swinging Sixties, the spirit of la dolce vita abounds all through Doucet and Barbe’s effervescent manufacturing. Though ten years on from its authentic staging the manufacturing seems to be as contemporary because it did then with loads of tremendous element to thrill the eyes all through.
Despite its light-heartedness Don Pasquale requires a fine-voiced forged to hold it off, and never solely fine-voiced, however a forged with impeccable comedian performing abilities, fortunately Scottish Opera have triumphed. David Stout has the requisite performing abilities in addition to the voice for the title function. He largely manages to penetrate successfully the full-blooded orchestra performed by Stuart Stratford. Stout’s tone is wealthy and full and he demonstrates incredible vocal agility within the tongue twisting sections of the piece. He is totally participating and sympathetic too, silly however nonetheless loveable, and you may’t assist root for him all through.
Most spectacular is New Zealand Tongan tenor Filipe Manu, his wealthy tones movement over the viewers like heat honey and do Korean baritone Josef Jeongmeen Ahn’s whose Dr Malatesta is agilely and successfully sung. Simone Osborne (a substitute for the initially forged Stacey Alleaume) is a spirited and formidable Norina, who appears to be relishing the considerably crueller facets of the character, she actually elicits the laughs from the viewers. She is a full-on, sly femme fatale. Her vibrant, full of life coloratura approach is superb.
Often described as the proper newbie’s opera, the intelligent staging by Doucet and Barbe provides a brand new dimension to the opera and opens the work as much as a wider viewers. That mentioned, there may be simply as a lot curiosity for the skilled opera goer. The rating is replete with melodious arias and there’s even that acquainted snippet appropriated by Nino Rota for his Godfather soundtrack to look out for.
This spirited, glowing manufacturing from Scottish Opera is a must-see this autumn and the standard on present bodes nicely for the remainder of the season to return.
Runs till 26 October 2024 then touring Scotland | Image: Jane Barlow
