Don Pasquale
In three acts by DONIZETTI.
Text done after SER MARCANTONIO by SALVATORE GAMMERANO.
This opera, one of Donizetti's last compositions is a little jewel of
the modern Italian kinds. Its music is sparkling with wit and grace
and may rank among the best comic operas, of which we have not too
many. The reason, why it does not occupy the place on the German
stage, which is due to i
s undoubted merit, is the somewhat deficient
German translation of the textbook, and the very small frame, in which
it plays, without any of the dramatic pomp and decoration the people
are wont to see in our times, and finally it does not occupy a whole
evening and must needs have a ballet to fill it up. The four persons
acting in the play, have excellent parts for good singers, as Donizetti
thoroughly knew how to treat the human voice.
The wealthy old bachelor Don Pasquale, desires to marry his only nephew
to a rich and noble lady, but, finding a hindrance in Ernesto's love
for another, decides to punish his headstrong nephew by entering
himself into marriage and thus disinheriting Ernesto.
His physician Malatesta, Ernesto's friend, pretends to have discovered
a suitable partner for him in the person of his (Malatesta's) sister,
an "Ingenue", educated in a convent and utterly ignorant of the ways of
the world.
Don Pasquale maliciously communicates his intentions to the young widow
Norina telling her to distrust Malatesta. The latter however has been
beforehand with him, and easily persuades Norina to play the part of
his (Malatesta's) sister, and to endeavour, by the beauty of her person
and the modesty of her demeanour, to gain the old man's affections.
Should she succeed in doing so, Don Pasquale and Norina are to go
through a mock form of marriage,--a notary, in the person of a cousin
named Carlo has already been gained for the purpose,--after which
Norina, by her obstinacy, extravagance, capriciousness and coquetry is
to make the old man repent of his infatuation and ready to comply with
their wishes.
Urged on by her love for Ernesto, Norina consents to play the part
assigned to her and the charming simplicity of her manners, her modesty
and loveliness so captivate the old man, that he falls into the trap
and makes her an offer of his hand. The marriage takes place, and
one witness failing to appear, Ernesto, who happens to be near, and who
is aware of the plot, is requested to take his place.--Besides
appointing Norina heiress of half his wealth, Don Pasquale at once
makes her absolute mistress of his fortune. Having succeeded in
attaining her aim, Norina throws aside her mask, and by her
self-willedness, prodigality and waywardness drives her would-be
husband to despair. She squanders his money, visits the theatre on the
very day of their marriage ignoring the presence of her husband in such
a manner, that he wishes himself in his grave, or rid of the termagant,
who has destroyed the peace of his life.--The climax is reached on his
discovery among the accounts, all giving proof of his wife's reckless
extravagance, a billet-doux, pleading for a clandestine meeting in his
own garden. Malatesta is summoned and cannot help feeling remorse on
beholding the wan and haggard appearance of his friend. He recommends
prudence, advises Don Pasquale to assist, himself unseen, at the
proposed interview, and then to drive the guilty wife from the house.
The jealous husband, though frankly confessing the folly he had
committed in taking so young a wife, at first refuses to listen to
Malatesta's counsel, and determines to surprise the lovers and have
them brought before the judge. Finally however he suffers himself to
be dissuaded and leaves the matter in Malatesta's hands.--
In the last scene the lovers meet, but Ernesto escapes on his uncle's
approach, who is sorely disappointed at having to listen to the
bitter reproaches of his supposed wife, instead of being able to turn
her out of doors.--
Meanwhile Malatesta arrives, summons Ernesto and in his uncle's name
gives his (Don Pasquale's) consent to Ernesto's marriage with Norina,
promising her a splendid dowry.
Don Pasquale's wife, true to the part she has undertaken to play, of
course opposes this arrangement, and Don Pasquale, too happy to be able
to thwart his wife, hastens to give his consent, telling Ernesto to
fetch his bride. His dismay on discovering that his own wife, whom he
has only known under the name of Sophronia and his nephew's bride are
one and the same person may be easily imagined.--His rage and
disappointment are however somewhat diminished by the reflection, that
he will no longer have to suffer from the whims of the young wife, who
had inveigled him into the ill-assorted marriage, and he at length
consents, giving the happy couple his blessing.--