Don Pasquale

Dramma buffo in drei Akten

Text Giovanni Ruffini & Gaetano Donizetti

It is one of the most famous comedy stories in the world:

Here is the elderly bachelor, intent on preserving his assets, who wants to slip into the role of lover once again. On the other, the young woman who cleverly leads him around by the nose.

Full Synopsis

The old, wealthy but stingy bachelor Don Pasquale wants to marry off his nephew Ernesto to a wealthy woman.

But Ernesto prefers the young, penniless widow Norina, who loves him. Although Don Pasquale has never seen Norina, he rejects this marriage - and chases Ernesto out of the house without further ado. Dejected, he writes a farewell letter to his lover Norina.

But Norina does not give up on Ernesto. Don Pasquale's new plan is to get married himself - and his friend Dr. Malatesta is supposed to help him. However, Dr. Malatesta sticks by Ernesto and sets up a game of confusion in which Norina and Ernesto play along: Norina is presented to the old bachelor as Malatesta's well-educated sister Sofronia, who has grown up in the convent. Don Pasquale is enraptured by this quiet, virtuous creature - and enters into a sham marriage with her, orchestrated by Malatesta (which Don Pasquale believes to be real).

Immediately after the wedding, Sofronia (=Norina) changes her behavior. She becomes a wasteful, loveless, snippy xanthippe who terrorizes Pasquale and - apparently - deceives him. In order to drive her out of the house again, Don Pasquale wants to marry his nephew Ernesto, equipped with a rich dowry, to Norina (who is still apparently unknown to him) and take her in. This is when Sofronia's true identity is revealed to him. He has to learn that older men are better off not courting younger women ...

Digital program booklet

Act 1 & 2 80 MIN

Intermission 30 MIN

Act 3 45 MIN

In Don Pasquale, Donizetti has skillfully spanned this plot framework: The opera is burlesque, but also timelessly valid as a confrontation between patriarchal desires and youthful self-determination. Director Irina Brook sets the comedy in the present day, leading it rapidly to an over-the-top, candy-colored finale in which laughter is intended - but never just ridicule.

Tickets for our standing room can be purchased online or at the Bundestheater box office from 10 am on the day of the performance. BundestheaterCard holders can book standing room tickets online the day before the performance.

In addition, a fixed contingent of standing room tickets is available for regular evening performances from 80 minutes before the start of the performance at our standing room box office (Operngasse entrance).

Our operas are sung in the original languages - these vary depending on the work.

At each seat, subtitles in different languages can be switched on or off via a separate subtitle screen. In addition to the original language of the opera, you can choose from up to eight languages: German, English, Italian, French, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin).

In the event of a change of performance, you can of course return or exchange your tickets.

As changes to the cast cannot be ruled out due to illnesses or other hindrances of artists, there is no entitlement to a refund of the ticket price or exchange in this case.

Tickets cannot be returned or exchanged if you are not admitted to the auditorium due to being late (even after the interval).

Cloakroom

The cloakrooms are located next the the entrances at the Operngasse. You can find additional cloakrooms on the left and right side of the balcony and the gallery and in the boxes. All cloakrooms are free of charge.

Be on Time

We kindly ask you to arrive on time for the performances. Latecomers can only be admitted during the intermission. After the intermission, re-entry will not be possible.

Food and Drink

Our gastronomy opens at the same time entry is permitted. You can enjoy some snacks and drinks before the performance starts or you can book a table for the break.