Hubbard Hall Opera Presents A Charming Don Pasquale

review by Alex Brooks
The Hubbard Hall Opera Theatre has opened a delightful production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale. This Bel Canto opera from the mid-19th century is full of gorgeous and memorable music, with a silly plot that comes straight out of the commedia del arte repertoire. A rich old man, fatuous and full of himself, presumes to dictate to his nephew whom the youth will marry, but he learns that youth and love are more than a match for a tyrant and his money.
This very professional production, ably directed by Heidi Lauren Duke, features a 14 piece orchestra led by Maria Sellner, who is the Director of the Akron Symphony Chorus as well as the Music Director of the orchestra at Carnegie Mellon University.
Brace Negron plays the title character to perfection, his powerful bass baritone voice a wonderful counterpoint to the beautiful tenor of his nephew Ernesto, played by Glenn Seven Allen.
Vedrana Kalas, a recent graduate of the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, now a resident of Delmar, brings plenty of sass and feminine wiles to the role of Norina. Her energy keeps the show lively.
Andrew Bawden plays the scheming Dr. Malatesta, who dreams up the outlandish prank which gives Don Pasquale his comeuppance, with great verve and like all the major characters in this opera, he is a very accomplished singer.
Also worth mentioning is a winning turn by summer conservatory student James McAdams as a very smiley (fake) Notary.
The whole thing is a lot of fun, and it is worth noting again that it is very rare to find this level of professional opera in such an intimate setting as Hubbard Hall. Even if you are not an opera buff, you might want to give this a try. It’s the kind of thing that could make you an opera lover.
Remaining performances are August 18 at 8 pm and Aug. 20 and 21 at 2 pm. Tickets are $30, $25 for Hubbard Hall members and $20 for students. For tickets call Hubbard Hall at 518 677-2495 or visit www.hubbardhall.org.