Newton Symphony Orchestra

Donizetti's Comic Masterpiece Don Pasquale
Sunday January 22, 2006, 7:00 pm
In a concert opera performance with English surtitles

The comic masterpiece by Gaetano Donizetti, to be performed in semi-staged format by the Newton Symphony Orchestra, features David Cushing whose recent debut in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Boston’s Symphony Hall was called “dynamite…(sung) with spine-tingling resonance” and Barbara Kilduff, making her Boston opera debut in this performance, has thrilled European and American audiences. Music Director, Jeffrey Rink, has also lined-up the award-winning Kenneth Mattice, lyric baritone who has sung from Australia to Chicago and won the Bel Canto Italian Opera Competition in 2004, and the up-and-coming Timothy Fallon, a member of the Juilliard Opera Center in New York. Chorus pro Musica, composed of 100 singers under the direction of Jeffrey Rink, will also be part of the concert.

This year, The NSO is introducing two features that should make the opera particularly enjoyable: First, this will be a semi-staged performance, with staging directed by Richard Harrell, Director of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Opera Program. Additionally, the NSO is thrilled to introduce surtitles with the performance of Don Pasquale which will translate the story line to English.

The opera tells the tale of the elderly Don Pasquale who has fallen in love with the young Norina, who is secretly in love with Pasquale’s nephew, Ernesto. Pasquale will give Ernesto his inheritance only if Ernesto marries the woman of Pasquale’s choice, not Norina, which Ernesto will not do. To force Pasquale into blessing the marriage of Ernesto and Norina, a trick marriage is arranged by Dr. Malatesta in which Pasquale believes he is wedding Norina, but under the veil is Malatesta’s sister. Pasquale announces his marriage to Ernesto and disinherits him. After the wedding, “Norina” begins to harass Pasquale and denies him her love. In great frustration, Pasquale finally denies the marriage and learns of the trick that has been played. Coming to his senses, at last he blesses the marriage of Ernesto and Norina.

The performance will be held at the Rashi Auditorium, 15 Walnut Park, Newton Corner at 7:00 pm with a pre-concert lecture by Stephen Ledbetter at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $35 -$45 with a $5 discount for students and seniors. Contact the NSO office at 617-965-2555.

Petite Soirée d'Opéra: The day before the concert, from 4:30 - 7:00 PM on Saturday, January 22, you can attend a benefit for the NSO. Mingle with soloists from Donizetti’s Don Pasquale at a special home in Newton. Soloists David Cushing and Timothy Fallon will sing arias from Don Pasquale with piano accompaniment. Enjoy delicious delectables. A donation of $45 per person is suggested in support of the NSO’s concert opera program. This event is being held at a private home so space is limited. RSVP: 617-965-2555


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