Don Pasquale

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

February 21–23, 2023

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

AVA presents Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera Don Pasquale this February – with a hometown twist. Audiences will be taken on a sentimental adventure, as the opera will be set in mid-60s South Philadelphia! This production will evoke nostalgia for that time, from the golden age of the Italian Market to plastic covers on furniture.

Be transported back to this era of Dick Clark’s Bandstand, Frankie Avalon, and Wilt Chamberlin on the Sixers. Have Sunday night dinner with the Italian family that you never knew you wanted (or needed!) in your life.

Richard A. Raub conducts the AVA Opera Orchestra, and Richard Troxell (AVA ’92) directs.

ABOUT THE OPERA

The venerable Don Pasquale has chosen a wife for his nephew Ernesto, who wants to marry Norina. The elderly Don disapproves, and decides to find a wealthy bride of his own. With Norina in disguise and a fake wedding, the couple and their friend Dr. Malatesta make Don Pasquale rue the day he ever considered marriage!

Dates: February 16, 18, 21, and 23, 2023 – All performances at the Helen Corning Warden Theater at AVA at 7:30 PM

CAST

Don Pasquale

Cumhur Görgün (Feb. 16 and 21)
Dylan Gregg (Feb. 18 and 23)

Dr. Malatesta

Kevin Godínez (Feb. 16 and 21)
Titus Muzi (Feb. 18 and 23)

Ernesto

Angel Raii Gomez (Feb. 16 and 21)
Sahel Salam (Feb. 18 and 23)

Norina

Ethel Trujillo (Feb. 16 and 21)
Loella Grahn (Feb. 18 and 23)

Carlino

Peter Barber (Feb. 16 and 21)
Shawn Roth (Feb. 18 and 23)

CHORUS
Sopranos: Yihan Duan, Lydia Grindatto, Emily Margevich
Mezzo-sopranos: Jenny Anne Flory, Monique Galvão, Alla Yarosh
Tenors: Matthew Goodheart, Luke Norvell, Shawn Roth
Basses & Baritones: Peter Barber, Benjamin Dickerson, Yue Wu
On Stage Guitar: Peter Barber, Shawn Roth

Commedia dell’arte Performers: Peter Barber, Jenny Anne Flory, Matthew Goodheart, Shawn Roth, Alla Yarosh