Donizetti: Don Pasquale from Vienna State Opera

Donizetti’s Don Pasquale in a cheeky, highly entertaining new staging by Irina Brook featuring a splendid cast, led by star-tenor Juan Diego Flórez.

After four decades, Donizetti’s Don Pasquale returns to the renowned Vienna State Opera in a new production by Irina Brook.

As if to make up for the neglect from which the work has been suffering, Brook’s “operacartoon” (Die Presse) with its opulent, colourful setting features a splendid cast, led by star-tenor Juan Diego Flórez. Flórez (Ernesto), “without a doubt the leading Bel Canto tenor of today, places his legendary, sheer impeccable high notes in all their splendour” (Die Presse).
Miming a Latin Lover right out of Las Vegas, his beautiful aria ‘Com’e gentil’ “is the evening’s highlight in every respect” (Bachtrack).

Valentina Naforniță gives her spirited role debut as Norina. Accompanying the lively scences on the richly decorated stage, the orchestra of the Vienna State Opera under conductor Evelino Pido performs playfully and with relish. Irina Brook, daughter of legendary director Peter Brook, sets Donizetti’s plot in the present day.

In Brook’s production “the jokes and punchlines are arranged masterfully and taken to extremes in accordance with the musical farce that is Donizetti’s score.” (Die Presse). “Applause for a likeable, entertaining staging!” (Der Standard)

English title Donizetti: Don Pasqual
Genre Opera
Recording location Vienna State Opera
Duration 130 mins
Production Company A production of Wiener Staatsoper live at home in co-production with ORF III in cooperation with UNITEL
Composer Gaetano Donizetti
Orchestra / Band Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Conductor Evelino Pidò
Choir Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor
Chorus Master Martin Schebesta
Stage Director Irina Brook
Soloist Juan Diego Flórez, Valentina Naforniță, Michele Pertusi, Adam Plachetka