SU’s Pulse and community partner Syracuse Opera offer free preview of ‘Don Pasquale’ Feb. 28

SU’s Pulse and community partner Syracuse Opera offer free preview of ‘Don Pasquale’ Feb. 28February 12, 2008Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s Pulse performing arts series and community partner Syracuse Opera will sponsor a free preview of Gaetano Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” Feb. 28 at 12:30 p.m. in SU’s Rose and Jules R. Setnor Auditorium, Crouse College. Following the preview, soprano Monica Yunus — daughter of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus — will speak about her father’s work and Sing for Hope, a humanitarian foundation she co-directs. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Parking will be available at a discounted rate in Irving Garage. Patrons should alert the attendant that they are attending the opera preview.

During the preview, Syracuse Opera’s director of music Douglas Kinney Frost will discuss the opera and introduce members of the cast, who will perform highlights. Bass-baritone Jason Budd plays the title role of Don Pasquale; tenor Matthew Garrett plays Pasquale’s nephew, Ernesto; and Yunus (left) plays the young widow Norina.

“Don Pasquale” continues the cycle of bel canto operas offered by Syracuse Opera over the past few seasons. A comedic opera in three acts, the show was one of the last of the bel canto period and is sung in Italian. Pasquale, angry with his nephew Ernesto for refusing to marry the woman he has chosen for him, decides to disinherit him for wanting to marry the young widow Norina instead. The old bachelor decides he shall marry to produce his own heir and his friend Dr. Malatesta, unable to dissuade him, suggests he marry Malatesta’s “sister” (in reality Ernesto’s beloved Norina) because of her virtues. Pasquale falls in love with Norina, sight unseen, but the moment the marriage contract is signed she turns into a shrew and makes his life a misery until he demands a divorce. Malatesta eventually confesses his plot to Pasquale. Ernesto and Norina beg Pasquale for his forgiveness and he offers them his blessing.

“Don Pasquale” is scheduled to run March 7 at 8 p.m. and March 9 at 2:30 p.m. at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center’s Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater. In addition to the preview, Pulse has discounted tickets available for the March 7 performance. Tickets — $3 for SU students and $5 for SU faculty and staff with valid SU I.D. — are available at the Schine Box Office, (315) 443-4517.

The foundation Sing for Hope maintains a roster of more than 400 artists (opera singers, Broadway performers, classical and jazz instrumentalists, dancers, designers and directors) who spearhead and create events that benefit global humanitarian causes that are close to their hearts. Philanthropic organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Heifer International, Bent on Learning, New York Cares, Bering Omega AIDS Services, the Grameen Foundation, Young at Arts and the Alzheimer’s Association have benefited from the foundation’s events.

“While opera and concerts are my bread and butter, Sing for Hope gives my humanitarian gene a workout,” says Yunus.

Founded in 1974, Syracuse Opera is the only year-round professional opera company serving Central New York. For more information, call 476-7372 or visit http://www.syracuseopera.com.

Pulse provides SU students and the local community opportunities to attend and participate in programs, performances, exhibitions and events in the visual and performing arts. It is a collaborative project of SU’s Division of Student Affairs and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. For more information, visit http://pulse.syr.edu.