Don Pasquale

November 12. 2026 - November 27. 2026

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Thursday
11/12/2026
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $57

Sunday
11/15/2026
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $75

Wednesday
11/18/2026
2:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $64

Saturday
11/21/2026
7:30 PM

Tickets

Starting at $70

Tuesday
11/24/2026
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $47

Friday
11/27/2026
7:00 PM

Tickets

Starting at $60

November 12. 2026 - November 27. 2026

Tickets

- Overview
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Can young love triumph over old money? Don Pasquale

Immerse yourself in the rococo grandeur of 19th-century Rome in this fizzy comedy of errors, returning to the Lyric Opera of Chicago stage for the first time in more than a decade with a vivid, period production directed by Mariame Clément.

Donizetti’s lively score animates the story of the aging bachelor Don Pasquale, whose disowned nephew enlists his wry fiancée and the Don’s long-suffering doctor to orchestrate a complex series of dupes and double-crosses in a bid to reclaim his uncle’s inheritance — all in the name of true love.

Lyric Music Director Enrique Mazzola conducts this good-natured touchstone of the comic opera repertoire.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English titles
Running Time: 2 hours 40 minutes, including 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House
Composer: Gaetano Donizetti

SoundShirt

The SoundShirt uses touch sensation to allow wearers the ability to feel music on their upper body, in real time with the orchestra and singers. SoundShirts must be reserved online or by calling the Audiences Services team at 312.827.5600.
Audio-described performance

Audio-described performances include a narration which guides the listener through the presentation with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, settings, costumes, and body language, communicated to the patron through headphones at appropriate times throughout the performance. Devices may be borrowed from coat check 1 on the main floor.
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Monday, October 26, 6:00 p.m. Graham Room

Don Pasquale Opera Insights

Join Lyric in the merriment of discussing Don Pasquale. Northwestern University musicologist Laura Sauer-Shah will moderate this panel discussion that will investigate the dynamic relationship between family, inheritance, and love — unraveling the complex feelings surrounding loneliness, aging, and the generational divide along the way. Explore how this fractured family navigates this timeless comedy to find each other once again, proving that harmony can be found in the most unexpected places.

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POST-SHOW SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Artist Talkback

Hear directly from the artists in this post-show discussion immediately after the performance on Sunday, November 15. Northwestern University professor, Dr. Stephen Alltop will lead this conversation around unmasking the music, the wit, and the timelessness of Don Pasquale. Bring your questions for the artists, and meet us directly after the performance on the mainfloor.

Pre-Opera Talk

Speaker: Dr. Harris Saunders

Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.

Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.

Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.

Articles

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The many glories of bel canto

In November, Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Don Pasquale, an 1842 masterpiece from Gaetano Donizetti — one of the titans of the opera style whose name translates simply as “beautiful singing.” This grouping of works has delighted audiences for two centuries. Here are just a few reasons why.

Get to know: Donizetti's "Don Pasquale"

Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" is one of the most beloved comic operas of the 19th century, representing a late flowering of the Italian bel canto tradition. The witty and wonderful work returns to Lyric for the first time in more than a decade, for six performances November 12-27, 2026.

A trio of trios for 2026/27

From American classics to timeless love stories and larger-than-life legends, Lyric's 2026/27 Season has something for everyone. Explore our Trio of Trios and discover three themed collections of performances that showcase the very best of the season.

Misha Kiria *

Don Pasquale

Misha Kiria

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Ying Fang

Norina

Ying Fang

Soprano

Chinese soprano Ying Fang made her Lyric Opera debut as Zerlina/Don Giovanni (2019|20).

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Alberto Robert *

Ernesto

Alberto Robert

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Ian Rucker **

Dr. Malatesta

Ian Rucker

Baritone

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Ian Rucker is a baritone in the Ryan Opera Center Ensemble.

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Enrique Mazzola

Conductor

Enrique Mazzola

Music Director

As of July 1, 2021, Italian conductor Enrique Mazzola is music director of Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is only the third person to serve in this capacity at Lyric, following the tenures of Sir Andrew Davis and the late Bruno Bartoletti.

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Mariame Clément *

Director

Mariame Clément

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Bernd Purkrabek *

Lighting Designer

Bernd Purkrabek

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Michael Black

Chorus Director

Michael Black

Chorus Director and Head of Music

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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