My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Festival Napa Valley Opens DON PASQUALE

Performances began on Friday, November 15.

By:
Festival Napa Valley Opens DON PASQUALE

Festival Napa Valley’s touring production of its 2023 Manetti Shrem Opera — Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale —debuted at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis on Friday, November 15. Featuring an acclaimed cast and Festival Orchestra Napa, the performance was the first fully staged opera ever presented at the Mondavi Center and underscored the Festival’s mission to make world-class performances accessible to audiences far and wide.

"We are honored to have partnered with Festival Napa Valley to present this exceptional production at the Mondavi Center," said Jeremy Ganter, Executive Director of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis. “This collaboration exemplifies our shared commitment to delivering outstanding cultural programming that enriches the lives of our community members.”

Festival Napa Valley is among the few performing arts organizations in the United States actively touring fully staged opera productions. The achievement was made possible with the support of Maria Manetti Shrem, a champion of the arts and education whose many contributions have strengthened Festival Napa Valley and UC Davis as cultural leaders.

“It was a joy to see this wonderful production at the Mondavi Center,” said Maria Manetti Shrem. “It was especially rewarding to see so many students in the audience, and to know that this performance helped inspire a new generation of opera lovers.”

“Touring a fully staged opera like Don Pasquale is a testament to how Festival Napa Valley continues to grow and evolve as a leader in the arts,” said Charles Letourneau, Festival Napa Valley’s Executive Vice President and Director of Artistic Planning. “It’s exciting to reach new audiences and broaden the impact of our work.

Directed by Jean-Romain Vesperini, Don Pasquale featured a distinguished cast, including soprano Vanessa Becerra as Norina, tenor Jonah Hoskins as Ernesto, baritone Alexey Lavrov as Dr. Malatesta, and bass-baritone Matt Burns as Don Pasquale. Conductor Noah Lindquist led Festival Orchestra Napa.

Additional tour dates in cities across the United States will be announced in 2025.



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Orchestrations - Top 3
1. Anders Eljas, Brian Usifer - Chess
21.3% of votes
2. Ethan Popp, The Rescues - The Lost Boys
20.8% of votes
3. William David Brohn - Ragtime
11.4% of votes

Need more Sacramento Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Marinelli Bros Circus - A New Experience! in Sacramento Marinelli Bros Circus - A New Experience!
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds (5/15-5/25)
SpongeBob the Musical, Youth Edition in Sacramento SpongeBob the Musical, Youth Edition
Davis Musical Theatre Company (5/02-5/24)
WHEN MARTHA MET KRIS: THE SANTA CLAUS LOVE STORY in Sacramento WHEN MARTHA MET KRIS: THE SANTA CLAUS LOVE STORY
B Street Theatre (12/02-12/27)
Goose – The Band  in Sacramento Goose – The Band
Frost Amphitheater (8/15-8/15)
SGMC Presents: Rhinestone Cowboy in Sacramento SGMC Presents: Rhinestone Cowboy
The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre (6/19-6/21) VIDEOS
PRIMARY TRUST By Eboni Booth in Sacramento PRIMARY TRUST By Eboni Booth
B Street Theatre (10/07-11/01)
Great Balls of Fire in Sacramento Great Balls of Fire
The East Sonora Theatre (7/24-8/09)
La Cage Aux Folles (The Bird Cage) in Sacramento La Cage Aux Folles (The Bird Cage)
The Nevada Theatre (5/29-6/20)
Guns N’ Roses in Sacramento Guns N’ Roses
Rose Bowl Stadium (9/05-9/05)
FRANKLINLAND By Lloyd Suh in Sacramento FRANKLINLAND By Lloyd Suh
B Street Theatre (4/29-5/24)