What a hoot!!! This one is the best!!!
P. Sutherland | Berea, Ohio, USA | 04/05/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This Don Pasquale is a 1955 black and white film from Italian television produced by Hardy Classics. Unlike the Bel Canto Society version of the same production, this one has good, visible subtitles in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
I love this opera and I have all the current versions. I think that this one must be the model that all others aspire to match. And, in my opinion, no one comes even close to Italo Tajo as Don Pasquale and Sesto Bruscantini as Dottor Malatesta! They are simply hilarious. Their facial expressions and comic timing are just nonstop funny. Of course, their singing is top shelf also. Alda Noni as Norina is in the same unbeatable category with a soprano to match. Cesare Valletti is a very funny Ernesto with a luscious tenor voice. The chorus numbers were also wonderful, very animated and inventive. No stand and sing in this production!
Donizetti's score is so lively and beautiful and the orchestra conducted by Alberto Erede did it justice. You knew the whole thing would be wonderful while listening to the overture.
If you like Don Pasquale, don't miss this one. My face was fixed in a grin for the whole thing!"