This John Dexter production, designed by Desmond Heeley, was a parting gift to the great American soprano Beverly Sills, who bid farewell to the Met as Norina, the smart young widow at the center of Donizetti’s comedy. The sensational Alfredo Kraus sings her beloved Ernesto. Håkan Hagegård, in his Met debut role and season, is Dr. Malatesta, the man who helps the young couple trick the crusty old bachelor of the title (Gabriel Bacquier at his comical best) into a fake marriage. This being a Donizetti comedy, it all turns out perfectly well at the end—and getting there is pure operatic fun.
Cast
Crew
Kirk Browning
Director
John Dexter
Director
Giovanni Ruffini
Writer
Gaetano Donizetti
Writer, Original Music Composer
Michael Bronson
Executive Producer
Christopher Sarson
Producer
Clemente D'Alessio
Associate Producer
Desmond Heeley
Costume Designer, Set Designer
Christina Calamari
Wardrobe Master
Nina Lawson
Hairstylist
Victor Callegari
Makeup Artist
Gil Wechsler
Lighting Design
James Levine
Music Director
Angelo Anelli
Original Story
Nicola Rescigno
Conductor