him of Norina's intended assignation, and his own plan to expose her unfaithfulness before a magistrate. Malatesta persuades him to moderate his plan and Pasquale, believing him an ally, consents to his conditions, while plotting his revenge on Norina (Aspetta, aspetta, cara sposina – "Wait, wait, dear little wife"). Scenes 6–7: The garden, adjoining Pasquale's house In the garden, as night draws in, Ernesto sings of his love for Norina, as he waits for her arrival (Com'è gentil – "How lovely"). At last, Norina emerges, and they express their love: (Tornami a dir che m'ami – "Tell me once more that you love me"). Don Pasquale and Malatesta have observed and, as they reveal themselves, Ernesto covers himself with a cloak and runs to the house. Pasquale tries to confront Norina – he has caught her in flagrante – but this only provokes a fight that leaves the Don spluttering. She refuses to leave at his demand, so Malatesta, as per his agreement with Pasquale, takes over. Pretending to negotiate with Norina/Sofronia, he tells Pasquale that the only way to make her leave will be to allow Ernesto to marry his beloved, whom "Sofronia" apparently despises. Pasquale consents, and calls out to the house, from which Ernesto and the servants emerge. He instructs Ernesto to send for his would-be bride, but Malatesta reveals that Norina is in fact the woman Pasquale thinks he married, while the real Sofronia remains in a convent. All are reconciled, and the moral of the story – not to marry in old age – is revealed in a playful quartet (La moral di tutto questo – "The moral of all this"). Recordings References Notes Cited sources Ashbrook, William (1982), Donizetti and His Operas, Cambridge University Press. Ashbrook, William (1992). "Don Pasquale" in Sadie 1992, vol. 1, pp. 1224–1226. Ashbrook, William; Sarah Hibberd (2001), in Holden, Amanda (Ed.), The New Penguin Opera Guide, New York: Penguin Putnam. . Budden, Julian (1992). "Donizetti, Gaetano. 5. Operas" in Sadie 1992, vol. 1, pp. 1209–1214. Chouquet, Gustave (1889). "Ventadour, Théâtre" in A Dictionary of Music and Musicians, edited by George Grove, Vol. 4, pp. 237–238. London: Macmillan. Donizetti, Gaetano (n.d. [1870]). Don Pasquale, dramma buffo in tre atti, piano-vocal score. Milan: Ricordi. IMSLP file #141736. Harewood, The Earl of and Peattie, Antony, editors (1997). The New Kobbe's Opera Book. London: Ebury Press. Loewenberg, Alfred (1978). Annals of Opera 1597–1940