DVD:
Don Pasquale starring Edita Gruberova

Donizetti’s Don Pasquale by the Vienna State Opera on tour through Austria (1977) featuring Edita Gruberova and Luigi Alva at the height of their powers.

Dramma buffo in three acts (five scenes) (1842)
Libretto by Giovanni Ruffini and Gaetano Donizetti after Angelo Anelli
Sung in German – German version adapted by Joachim Popelka

Donizetti’s Don Pasquale represents the high point of the Italian buffa tradition, a sparkling comedy using characters from commedia dell’arte in ways that are entertaining, witty and playful. It was the work selected by the Vienna State Opera for its 1977 tour through Austria. Starring famous singers like the bass Oskar Czerwenka, the great lyric tenor Luigi Alva and, on the cusp of international fame, Edita Gruberova (soon to become the “queen of bel canto”) – this filmed performance, in colour and sung in German, showcases an outstanding ensemble at the height of its powers.

Don Pasquale, an elderly bachelor OSKAR CZERWENKA Bass
Norina, a youthful widow EDITA GRUBEROVA Soprano
Doctor Malatesta, his physician HANS HELM Baritone
Ernesto, Don Pasquale’s nephew LUIGI ALVA Tenor
A Notary ALOIS PERNERSTORFER Bass-baritone

CHOR DER WIENER STAATSOPER
ORCHESTER DER WIENER STAATSOPER
Conductor HÉCTOR URBÓN
Stage Director HELGE THOMA

Video Director WOLFGANG LESOWSKY
Filmed on 30 March 1977 at the Volkshaus, Mürzzuschlag during the Vienna State Opera’s first tour through various cities in Austria

A production of ORF

[2110659]
Total playing time: 120 minutes
Language: German · Subtitles: German, English, French, Japanese, Korean
Colour · NTSC 4:3 · PCM stereo · Region: 0 (Worldwide) · DVD 9