Out & About in the City –Don Pasquale Opera

This opera was stupendous, funny and very entertaining, and the actors who played the leads were superb. In particular the four key characters that held my attention with their superb acting and voices were: Don Pasquale played by Conal Coad, Norina played by Rachelle Durkin and the clever Dr Malatesta played by Samuel Dundas and Ernesto played by John Longmuir. – The opera was written by Gaetano Donizetti  and an Opera Australia Production at the Arts Centre Melbourne

The set designers really deserve a clap of the hands as the colourful Romanesque villas looked very true to life. They certainly portrayed a 1950’s setting perfectly.

The orchestra was very polished and led by Conductor Guilliame Touriaire.

If you are new to the opera scene this will be a superb first for you to gently escape modern day and embrace yesteryear.

The plot in brief depicts Ernesto (Don Pasquale’s nephew) who is in love with Norina — as she is not from money Don Pasquale poses to disinherit Ernesto and marry his good friend the Doctors’ sister and enjoy his wealth whilst alive. The bride to be is in fact Norina in disguise. As the plot unfolds this well written witty opera will have you captivated.

Don Pasquale will run until December 12^, 2014 so you will need to get in fast.

2015 Opera Australia productions in Melbourne will be:

Madama Butterfly                            May 4-30

Don Giovanni                                    May 11-30

Don Carlos                                         May 20-29

The Marriage of Figaro                   November 12-28

The Elixir of Love                             November 21-28