Seeing our Don Pasquale made me wonder how other opera companies present Don Pasquale. I always think the OTSL production is the best, but then, I only look into the presentations I like. It’s possible the Met once produced a catchy, uplifting version of The Trial, who knows?
The OTSL version nailed the ending, because they had the surprise extra bonus love interest built into the cast, so I loved that. Other versions I’ve seen online seem a little judgmental at the end. “Act your age.” Hmph.
I was seated next to a correspondent from Opera Magazine, and she had seen it at the Met, so she felt our Norina was a little too spiteful compared to Beverly Sills. (At least one publication at the time commented that Beverly was “too smiley” in her portrayal. Our Norina had a lovely voice and was an empowered woman and had the most amazing pair of legs I have ever seen.)
I’m really curious to look for a review later; I saw her taking notes. She asked if we knew how lucky we are to live in a city with both the Opera Theater and the St. Louis Symphony, and I said we were, but I did guffaw a number of times during the performance in a very rube-like fashion.