Opera Scotland

Don Pasquale 2024Scottish Opera

Read more about the opera Don Pasquale

While it has to be said that none of the characters in this farcical comedy is particularly attractive, it is generally accepted as good-natured fun that eventually ends well.  Donizetti's superb musical treatment always stays on the right side of sympathy for the four well-rounded individuals. The plot is derived from the old Italian commedia dell'arte model, revised with slightly more genuine characters.

The current production, by the Canadian pairing of Renaud Doucet (director) and André Barbe (designer) was first given by Scottish Opera in 2014.  During the intervening decade it has been seen in Miami, Genoa, Vancouver and Toronto.  It is updated, as usually happens with this work, and set in a Roman guest-house.

The cast is entirely new to the staging, led by David Stout, recently an excellent Bartolo in the highly memorable Barber of Seville revival. The company's music director Stuart Stratford leads the performances.  It is good to see that Scottish Opera is continuing its policy of providing a matinee in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as taking the show to Inverness and Aberdeen.