ACT I

Don Pasquale receives his friend, Doctor Malatesta, in his apartments. He plans to deprive his nephew and legitimate heir, Ernesto, of his inheritance. The latter has fallen in love with Norina, a penniless young widow, even though Don Pasquale has presented the young man with a more profitable match. When Pasquale suggests that he should be the one to get married, Malatesta informs him that he has the ideal fiancée for him: his own sister, Sofronia, whom he describes as a timid, convent-raised girl. Don Pasquale implores the doctor to introduce him to her right away.

When Ernesto arrives, Pasquale again tries to convince his nephew to marry the woman he has chosen for him. Faced with Ernesto’s obstinacy, Don Pasquale disinherits him for good and informs him of his imminent marriage to Malatesta’s sister. Ernesto is all the more astounded since he has been led to believe he has the doctor’s complete support. Unable to guarantee her future, Ernesto decides to leave Norina.

Norina receives Ernesto’s letter announcing the breakup and his departure. Doctor Malatesta rushes to reassure the young woman. He explains that his sole strategy is to fool Don Pasquale. He intends to have him married before a fake notary to a seemingly sweet and amiable woman who, as soon as the vows are uttered, will completely change her character. In so doing, he hopes to drive Pasquale to distraction and persuade him to allow his nephew to marry whomever he chooses. Delighted by the plan, Norina agrees to play the role of Malatesta’s sister.

ACT II

Left alone, Ernesto wallows in despair: disavowed by his uncle and betrayed by his friend, he has been obliged to renounce the woman he loves. Meanwhile, Don Pasquale prepares for the arrival of his future bride. She enters, under a veil, on Malatesta’s arm. Pasquale is instantly won over by her shy demeanour. When she finally removes the veil for him, he demands that they be married straight away. Malatesta immediately summons his cousin, who, disguised as a notary, draws up the contract. Ernesto arrives to bid farewell to his uncle and discovers his beloved arm-in-arm with Don Pasquale. In an aside, Malatesta instructs the young man to play along for his own good.

As soon as the marriage is concluded, the young bride changes character completely. Harsh and domineering, she cajoles and insults Don Pasquale, to the delight of an amazed Ernesto. Dumbfounded by this turn of events, Pasquale is horrified when his young bride orders the servants to completely rearrange the furniture in the house.

INTERVAL

ACT III

Don Pasquale’s house is in utter turmoil and the bills are piling up: jewellery, hats, flowers, gowns... The distraught Don Pasquale even receives a slap when he tries to stop his young wife from going out to have some fun. His humiliation is complete when he finds a note arranging a secret tryst between the young woman and another suitor.

Don Pasquale asks Malatesta to help rid him of his wife. Malatesta suggests to Don Pasquale that they resolve the situation by way of a ruse. He tells the young wife that she must share her house with Norina, the future bride of Ernesto. The young woman replies that she would sooner leave than share her home with another woman. Don Pasquale is now eager to accept his nephew’s marriage to Norina, seeing it as a means to be rid of his own wife. Malatesta finally reveals the subterfuge to Don Pasquale: Sofronia and Norina are one and the same person. Initially annoyed and upset at having been taken advantage of, Don Pasquale is ultimately relieved to be rid of his bride. He forgives them all and agrees to the union of the young couple.