Don Pasquale opens at San Diego Opera on Saturday the 10th. The last time SDO put this production on it was a big hit with audiences.

What can I say? The opera is funny on its own and this particular production, directed by David Gately, is downright hilarious.

The cast is nothing if not pretty. I’m not sure there is a more attractive soprano/tenor duo than Danielle De Niese and Charles Castronovo. Would you believe their voices are prettier than their looks?

Ms. De Niese is making her San Diego debut. Her resume is impressive as are her two solo CDs on the Decca label. According to her bio, she was only 18 years-old when she entered the Lidermann Young Artist Development program at the Metropolitan Opera.

Danielle De Niese

Charles Castronovo stunned San Diego audiences with his beautiful singing in Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers during the 2008 season. I will go out on a limb for Mr. Castronovo and say there is no tenor voice that is or has been more beautiful--ever. I am willing to put him alongside Fritz Wunderlich for sheer beauty and naturalness of tone.

Charles Castronovo

Completing the principal quartet are John Del Carlo as Pasquale and Jeff Mattsey as Doctor Malatesta.

John Del Carlo made his San Diego debut in 1978 and has returned on numerous occasions, most recently in Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes.

Jeff Mattsey has made a string of appearances with San Diego Opera going back to 1995. Last season he was big-bad-Ping in Turandot.

Don Pasquale promises to be a charming night of theater with beautiful music and big laughs.