Misha Kiria stars as Don Pasquale at Lyric Opera

Towering height and lightning-fast patter define Misha Kiria as Don Pasquale opens at Lyric Opera for a two-week run.

Gaetano Donizetti’s 1843 chamber opera pairs stock commedia dell’arte characters with soaring bel canto arias, marking both the peak and the start of the decline for the opera buffa genre, chicagoclassicalreview.com reported.

In the title role, Georgian baritone Misha Kiria makes his Lyric debut. With his towering stature, Kiria resembles Luigi Lablache, who created the role at the Paris premiere, chicagoclassicalreview.com reported.

Kiria embodies the bluster, arrogance, and faux bravado of the foolish bachelor. Vocally, the baritone sings with ample yet agile voice, executing tongue-twisting patter sections at lightning speed.

Ian Rucker joins the cast as Dr. Malatesta, bringing a warm, rounded big voice with impressive flexibility to the production, chicagoclassicalreview.com reported. The celebrated Act III duet between Pasquale and Malatesta proves both hilarious and exhilarating in its rapid-fire bravura.

Ying Fang undertakes her role debut as Norina, performing alongside Alberto Robert in his U.S. debut as Ernesto, chicagoclassicalreview.com reported. Fang portrays Norina’s transformation from a meek convent inhabitant to a haughty, materialistic harridan named Sofronia.

While Fang sings with refined tone in lyrical passages and blends well with Robert in their climactic duet, her light soprano occasionally turns wan under pressure. Robert displays the right light tenor for Ernesto, floating elegant vocalism especially in his gleaming rendition of “Com’è gentil,” chicagoclassicalreview.com reported.

Enrique Mazzola leads the orchestra as music director, favoring extreme tempos that bring high energy to fast music while occasionally dragging slow passages, chicagoclassicalreview.com reported. Marianne Clement directs the Glyndebourne Opera production on the vast Lyric stage, moving the action back to the 18th century.

The production features revolving sets and pastel costumes alongside a controversial added housekeeper character, Berta, played by Sarah Sapperstein. Don Pasquale runs through November 27, with Sydney Mancasola scheduled to sing the role of Norina in the final performance, chicagoclassicalreview.com reported.