From his home in Toowoomba, baritone Jon Maskell performs Dr Malatesta’s aria ‘Bella siccome un angelo’, from the comic opera Don Pasquale. Dr Malatesta sings an exaggeratedly glowing description of his alleged sister, the bride he has found for his elderly patient Don Pasquale, who wants to marry purely to spite his nephew.

At the time of its composition, composer Gaetano Donizetti had just been appointed music director and composer for the imperial court of Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria. The comic opera Don Pasquale was the 64th of an eventual 66 operas he composed.

This performance was recorded in Toowoomba on the land of the Barungaam people. Opera Queensland respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Lands across Queensland and pays respect to their ancestors who came before them and to Elders past, present and emerging.