Under the astute artistic direction of Michael Spierman the Bronx Opera performed Gaetano Donizetti’s lively comedy Don Pasquale—sung in English—at the Lovinger Theatre on the Lehman College’s Bronx campus. Don Pasquale is one of Donizetti’s opera buffa, light-hearted comic works such as his L’Elisir d’Amore which he created in a relatively short but prolific life along with a number of opera seria like Lucia di Lammermoor. It takes a light touch along with great voices to put over this opera and the Bronx Opera is famous for its young, full-voiced actor/singers who aren’t afraid to vamp and cavort when called for.
Don Pasquale is the tale of the Don, a wealthy, elderly bachelor who frowns on his nephew Ernesto’s choice of a fiancée, the young widow Norina. Convincing the slightly lecherous and penurious Don to allow this love match involves a farcical plot that includes a family friend, Dr. Malatesta arranging for a phony marriage between Don Pasquale and the Doctor’s “sister,” who is actually Norina in disguise. The Don learns his lesson after his “wife” mistreats and taunts him making his life miserable. All ends happily with the pairing of Norina and Ernesto and Don Pasquale freed from his nuptial nightmare.
Jack Anderson White’s Don Pasquale was less cartoonish than most interpretations. He elicited more empathy with his quizzical facial expressions and comic outbursts than one would have supposed possible for the buffoonish “heavy” of this opera. Handsome Rogelio B. Peñaverde, Jr. was ardent and frustrated as Ernesto. He was believably devoted to his Norina sung by Katherine Wessinger , who’s rich soprano was guided by a giddy, silly persona, veering between the phony purity of her faux fiancée character and her full-bodied, sexy widow. Mischa Bouvier used his smooth good looks to advantage as the schemer Dr. Malatesta. He oozed around the stage with his trusty flunky, Carlotto, the Notary, easily throwing off Donizetti’s comic arias, duets and trios. As the Notary, Michael Sarnoff-Wood achieved the sly air of a comic character in complete cahoots with the plot his cousin has hatched, enjoying the ensuing complications with abandon. All the members of the large chorus were convincing as townspeople and house servants, in on the joke.
The production, conducted with panache by Mr. Spierman, was sumptuously costumed by Meganne George, whose triple-arched set provided a proper period backdrop to the action. Royston Coppenger, the stage director, chose to update the action to what looked like very early 20th Century and if he didn’t quite keep the energy flowing continuously, he honored the libretto without being outrageous or inappropriate. The large Bronx Opera Orchestra is a terrific exception to the tiny musical ensembles other local opera companies use. They played with enthusiasm, sometimes overwhelming the singers, but doing Donizetti proud.
The Bronx Opera is a vital musical asset to New York City, performing both the standards of the opera repertory and modern classics. They keep a very busy schedule performing throughout the City and Long Island and are very much worth a visit.
THE BRONX OPERA in Don Pasquale
Lovinger Theatre @ Lehman College, Bronx, NY
Fri. & Sat. May 7th & 8th @ 8:00 pm
Tickets: 1-800-838-3006 or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/98900
John Cranford Adams Playhouse @ Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Fri. May 14th @ 8:00 pm & Sat. May 15th @ 2:00 pm
Tickets: 516-463-6644
More Information: http://www.bronxopera.org