The Catskill Chronicle

Review by Barry Plaxen

LOCH SHELDREAKE, NY (November 18, 2010) – Once again, the Live From the Met in HD series offered a superb “show” on November 13, which an enthusiastic group of people watched in the Seelig Theatre of Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake. One does not usually call an operatic performance a “show.” but the word describes what transpired on the stage, or on the screen, if you will.

I believe this time the kudos go to Otto Schenk, the director.

Four years ago Schenk created this production of Gaetano Donizetti’s 1843 opera Don Pasquale, one of the composer’s much loved trio of comic operas (opera buffe), along with The Elixir of Love and The Daughter of the Regiment, and the 64^th of his 66 operas.

The roles are stock commedia dell’arte characters: in this case, a buffoon (DonPasquale), two lovers (Norina and Ernesto), and he who creates a farcical plot, the schemer Dr. Malatesta. The libretto was written by Giovanni Ruffini, based on Angelo Anelli’s libretto for a “forgotten” 1810 opera composed by Stefano Pavesi.

The opera takes place in a single day. The young man Ernesto is in love with the lovely but penniless Norina and has refused to marry a more suitable woman chosen for him by his rich uncle Don Pasquale. The old man accordingly plans to wed and produce his own heirs, cutting Ernesto off from his inheritance. Pasquale’s physician, Dr. Malatesta, suggests his sister, Sofronia, a convent girl, as the bride, all the while scheming to dupe the old man into allowing Ernesto’s marriage to Norina. The Don happily accepts the proposal. Malatesta has Norina disguise herself as Sofronia and sign a fake marriage contract before another common commedia dell’arte character, the false notary.

At this point Norina transforms from the shy convent girl into a complete shrew, turning Pasquale’s life upside down, hiring hordes of new servants and spending money left and right. She makes life so miserable for the old man that he is actually relieved when he discovers that he has been duped, and that he has not really married Norina. He repudiates his desire for marriage and consents to the union of his nephew with Norina.

Energetically conducted by James Levine, the energy spills onto the stage where four superb singers, who happen to be four superb actors, brilliantly execute constant and inventive / inspired stage movements (including the soprano’s somersault), all suggested by the music and libretto, never once gratuitous.

John Del Carlo as Pasquale is extremely entertaining – looking humorous in his oversized costume (by Rolf Langenfass), his oft-trembling jowls, and his wonderful singing. Matthew Polenzani as Ernesto, Pasquale’s nephew, a magnificent singer, was a most pleasant “juvenile,” never dull and the most sympathetic of characters. As Dr. Malatesta, Mariusz Kwiecien was a highly animated actor with a strong baritone voice. His plot-antics and physical-antics with Norina and Pasquale were delightful to watch.

The beautiful Anna Netrebko was slightly sharp for a minute or two at her entrance. Oddly, she chose not to sing the coloratura arpeggios at the end of her first aria. This made me wonder if those oft-heard embellishments were not written by Donizetti, but added later by others. Nebtrenko brought forth a depth and myriad of moods and qualities not often included by other Norinas I have seen; her lust for life, her put-on shy convent girl followed immediately with a brilliant turn as a put-on shrew, followed by a sincere and faithful lover. Her shrew was, for me, the highlight of the “show.” Shakespeare’s Kate could learn a lesson or two from her.

All four world-class singers, probably thanks to Schenk, pulled as much from the farcical libretto as possible. Never once did the opera flag, constantly moving from scene to scene with never a dull moment, including the orchestral overture and interludes.

Even the televised scene changes were entertaining. Too bad the live audience couldn’t see that.

All in all, it was a perfect afternoon. Most entertaining and, I predict, highly memorable.