Set in Rome in 1825, Don Pasquale tells the story of an old curmudgeon who refuses to let his nephew, Ernesto, marry Norina. With the help of a friend, Dr. Malatesta, Norina takes matters into her own hands by posing as a bride-to-be for Pasquale himself. As soon as the marriage is performed, she proceeds to make his life miserable until he begs Ernesto to take her off his hands.

Don Pasquale, Donizetti's final opera, is among his best-known and well-loved operas.

"Its elegant style and pointed wit make it a rival to Rossini's The Barber of Seville," said Donald Gray, USC opera director.

Jacob Will, music, plays the title role. Will sang for many years in the Zurich Opera, performing roles in Lucia di Lammermoor, L'Italiana in Algeri and La Bohème. He appeared as Figaro in the New York City Opera's production of Le Nozze di Figaro and as Masetto in the San Francisco Opera's production of Don Giovanni.

A native of Hartsville, Will graduated from USC and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He joined the USC School of Music faculty in fall 2002 as a voice instructor and director of the opera workshop. This will be his first major performance since joining USC.

"This has been a real pleasant experience, especially working with the students and with Donald Gray," Will said. "He was my instructor as an undergraduate, when I was a part of the opera workshop. Now that I have some experience, it's great to come back and work with him again."

Rounding out the cast are USC opera students Sun-Joo Oh, Meredith Nutter, Brian Parker, Jaeyoon Kim, Raphael Rada, Paul Sutton, and Jason Flores.

Tickets for Don Pasquale are $10 for adults, $8 seniors, and $5 students. For ticket information, call the School of Music at 7-5369.

10/03