Gerard Korsten conducts the Teatro Lirico Orchestra and chorus and Patrizia Carmine directs the performers Eva Mei, Alessandro Corbelli and Roberto de Candia. Old Don Pasquale wishes to marry and produce an heir, thus disinheriting his nephew Ernesto, who loves the merry widow Norina. Pasquale's physician Malatesta pretends that Norina is his sister 'Sofronia', and arranges a mock wedding to Pasquale. 'Sofronia' then proceeds to make Pasquale's life a misery.

Live production from the Zurich Opera House of Verdi's tour de force. Jürgen Flimm's staging stays close to Verdi's intention, concentrating on the central characters, showing their instability, emotions, despair, love, sacrifice and tragedy rather than focussing on the actions of the Parisian society.