On March 4, Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" will return with Javier Camarena coming back to the Metropolitan Opera.

The Music

"Don Pasquale's" music is not one of the most popular Donizetti operas. However, the music is delightful and there is a plethora of solos, duets and ensembles that showcase the talents of its singers. Among the most popular pieces in the opera is the heroine Norina's opening aria "So anch'io la virtù magica." The aria is vocally demanding and includes coloratura roulades but also showcases the character's high spirits and quick wit.

Another recognizable piece is the tenor's Act III aria, which is a folk-influenced serenade that expresses the innocence of the character of Ernesto. However, the most popular piece of the opera is the baritone-bass duet in Act III. The piece expertly uses pattering to communicate the emotions and uses rhythms and accelerating tempi to make a comic impression.

History

Donizetti's comic masterpiece made its premiere in 1899 with Marcella Sembrich in the role of Norina and Antonio Pini-Corsi as Don Pasquale. That season the opera was performed five times in concert and was also combined with Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana."

The opera continued to be performed regularly until 1914 with Pini-Corsi in the title role and Lucrezia Bori as Norina. On that occasion Arturo Toscanini conducted the work.

The opera disappeared until 1935 in a new production by Désiré Defrère and starred Ezio Pinza as Don Pasquale, Lucrezia Bori as Norina and Tito Schipa as Ernesto. The opera was only performed three times and came back five years later for the first broadcast with Bidu Sayao in the role of Norina.

In 1955 Robert Peters performed the role of Norina with Fernando Corena as Don Pasquale. Cesare Valletti starred as Ernesto in a new production by Dino Yannopoulos. Peters, Corena and Luigi Alva dominated the work throughout the fifties and sixties.

In 1978 Beverley Sills sang the role of Norina with Gabriel Bacquier as Don Pasquale and Alfredo Kraus as Ernesto. Håkan Hagegård rounded out the star studded cast as Dr. Malatesta. The performance was in a new production by John Dexter and was televised.

The opera was last performed in 1980 and disappeared for more than 26 years.

The Production

In 2006 Otto Schenk directed a new production for the Met that would become his last for the company. The production is very traditional in style with three different sets. Its use of color allows each character to standout and the lavish sets add to the tone of the opera.

On that occasion the opera starred Anna Netrebko in a star making role as Norina and Juan Diego Florez as Ernesto. Simone Alaimo portrayed the title character and Mariusz Kwiecien played the role of Dr. Malatesta.

The production would return in 2010 with Netrebko and Kwiecien. That year it also starred John del Carlo in the title role and Matthew Polenzani as Ernesto. That year the opera was part of the Live in HD series and broadcast in movie theaters. It was subsequently released on home video.

The Cast

Javier Camarena returns to the Met after breaking out in Rossini's "La Cenerentola" and Bellini's "La Sonnambula." The tenor who is best known for his work in Bel Canto made his debut in 2011 in the role of the Count Almaviva in "Il Barbiere di Siviglia." Since then he has sung numerous Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini roles.

Eleonora Buratto makes her Met debut in the role of Norina. The Italian soprano has become well known for her high notes and for flexibility and lyrical voice. The soprano has performed Norina in other cities including Rome and Madrid. Among her other signature roles include Adina in Donizetti's "L'Elisir D'Amore," and Alice Ford in Verdi's "Falstaff."

Ambrogio Maestri returns to the Met after his acclaimed turn in Verdi's "Falstaff." This time around he plays the buffo role of Don Pasquale. The baritone has made a career in various different repertoire including comic roles such as Dulcamara in "L'Elisir D'Amore," and "Falstaff." He has also performed dramatic roles such as Scarpia in Puccini's "Tosca," Nabucco in Verdi's "Nabucco" and Iago in Verdi's "Otello."

Levente Molnar and Alexey Lavrov round out the cast sharing the role of Malatesta. Maurizio Benini will conduct all five performances.