TV Standard: NTSC
Color: Colour

Credits:

Natalie Dessay

Description:

Recorded on tour at the Vienna State Opera in 1977. Enjoy Edita Gruberova's shining beautiful voice! Don Pasquale is an elderly bachelor with great wealth. He wants to give his fortune to his nephew Ernesto, but Ernesto seems to be in love with someone else and refuses to marry the man he recommended. Don Pasquale decides that he would rather marry himself than have his fortune taken away by an unknown woman, so he asks his friend Malatesta to arrange a marriage. Don Pasquale brings his friend Malatesta to marry his sister, who at first seems quiet and obedient, but as soon as she signs the marriage contract, her attitude changes drastically... This video was recorded in 1977 during the Vienna State Opera's first national tour of Austria (Mürtschulag). The young Gruberova as Norina gives a comical and coquettish performance and sings wonderfully. This recording is from the period when Gruberova gained international fame with her 1976 performance of "Ariadne of Naxos" (as Zerbinetta, conducted by Karl Böhm: live recording available). The title role is played by Oscar Cervenka, a famous singer of the past, and the supporting performances by Malatesta (Hans Helm), Ernesto (Luigi Alva), and others are very well sung and performed.The video shows the performers and staff relaxing on the bus and setting up the stage at the venue during the overture immediately after the start of the opera, and when the opera begins, the singing is a German adaptation of the original script by Joachim Popelka, which drew laughter from the audience. Naxos Japan