Longhope Opera, an Italian Bel Canto festival hosted at the picturesque country house in Newton Valence, Hampshire, has been enchanting audiences since 2019. This summer, we are delighted to present the fifth production from the talented Scherzo Ensemble. Join us on Saturday 6th, and Sunday 7th July 2024 for performances of Donizetti's roaring comedy, Don Pasquale. 

Don Pasquale is the final comic opera by the prolific Donizetti and one of the last works he wrote. The story revolves around a classic comedic premise: a young couple in love schemes to thwart the inappropriate plans of a pompous old man, who wants to marry the girl himself. To accomplish their goal, they have help from a smart tactician. Needless to say, young love will triumph in the end over senescent foolishness and hypocrisy: all will be reconciled and live happily ever after. The tension lies in the means to the presupposed end.