Donizetti's Don Pasquale at Orpheum Theatre

ACT I. Don Pasquale is the proprietor of Pasquale’s Garden Restaurant, where his nephew Ernesto sings in the evenings. Disgruntled by Ernesto’s refusal to marry the girl Pasquale has chosen for him, the Don decides to take a bride himself and disinherit Ernesto.

Dr. Malatesta, Pasquale’s family doctor, hears about the situation and hopes to aid his young friend Ernesto. Malatesta suggests his sister, Sophronia, as a suitable match for Pasquale… she’s a perfect lady, and fresh from the convent. However, Malatesta’s scheme is to have Ernesto’s beloved, Norina, disguise herself as “Sophronia”.

Far wiser than her years, Norina grasps Malatesta’s plan quickly: enchant old man Pasquale, pretend to marry him, and then instead of the perfect wife, become an absolute shrew. Norina takes to her new role with gusto, bossing the befuddled old man around and transforming his quiet little restaurant into a hopping nightclub. Malatesta’s scheme has worked perfectly – Pasquale is desperate to get out of his marriage to “Sophronia”.

ACT II. Malatesta moves his scheme into Phase Two: he lures Pasquale to a rendezvous between “Sophronia” and Ernesto, who will be singing his last show late that night. When they are discovered, “Sophronia” feigns innocence. Pasquale gives Malatesta the go-ahead, who tells “Sophronia” of the impending wedding between Ernesto and a girl named Norina, and that the couple will soon be moving in with the Don.

Outraged, “Sophronia” refuses to live in the same house with another woman, and demands proof of the wedding before she moves out. Pasquale happily consents to a wedding on the spot, only to learn that “Sophronia” was Norina all along.