The story of Don Pasquale revolves around a classic comedic premise: a young couple in love schemes to thwart the inappropriate plans of a pompous old man, who wants to marry the girl himself. What makes the opera notable within this familiar genre is its emphasis on genuine human emotion. Donizetti’s score is graceful and effervescent, as one would expect from this master of melody, but adds an additional level of sophistication to match the comic (yet insightful) proceedings. Recorded on February 28th 2015, at the Opéra de Vichy.

Donizetti: Don Pasquale

Final performance of the 1974 John Copley production. Live from ROH June 10 2015.

La Bohème

A young nobleman, Count Almaviva, plots to walk his lover Rosina away from her lecherous guardian Dr. Bartolo with considerable help from Figaro, formerly the Count's servant and now a barber in Seville.