Don Pasquale (1979)
This John Dexter production, designed by Desmond Heeley, was a parting gift to the great American soprano Beverly Sills, who bid farewell to the Met as Norina, the smart young widow at the center of Donizetti’s comedy. The sensational Alfredo Kraus sings her beloved Ernesto. Håkan Hagegård, in his Met debut role and season, is Dr. Malatesta, the man who helps the young couple trick the crusty old bachelor of the title (Gabriel Bacquier at his comical best) into a fake marriage. This being a Donizetti comedy, it all turns out perfectly well at the end—and getting there is pure operatic fun.
Directors: Kirk Browning, John Dexter.
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Gabriel Bacquier as Pasquale da Corneto |
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Beverly Sills as Norina |
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Alfredo Kraus as Ernesto |
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Håkan Hagegård as Dr. Malatesta |
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Nico Castel as Notary |
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MET Orchestra as |
| Directing | Kirk Browning | Director |
| Sound | Gaetano Donizetti | Original Music Composer |
| Writing | Giovanni Ruffini | Writer |
| Directing | John Dexter | Director |
| Costume & Make-Up | Desmond Heeley | Costume Designer |
| Art | Desmond Heeley | Set Designer |
| Sound | Nicola Rescigno | Conductor |
| Lighting | Gil Wechsler | Lighting Design |
| Sound | James Levine | Music Director |
| Production | Christopher Sarson | Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Nina Lawson | Hairstylist |
| Production | Michael Bronson | Executive Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Christina Calamari | Wardrobe Master |
| Production | Clemente D'Alessio | Associate Producer |
| Costume & Make-Up | Victor Callegari | Makeup Artist |
| Writing | Gaetano Donizetti | Writer |
| Writing | Angelo Anelli | Original Story |