Philadelphia’s Academy of Vocal Arts is set to present Gaetano Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale.”

The opera, which is set to be presented on February 16-23, 2023, will be staged in mid-60s South Philadelphia. This production will evoke nostalgia for that time, from the golden age of the Italian Market to plastic covers on furniture.

AVA’s award-winning Resident Artists will perform in this production, with AVA alumnus and international opera star Richard Troxell directing. Richard A. Raub will conduct the AVA Opera Orchestra.

In a statement Troxell said, “I’m new to Don Pasquale, and when I was studying the opera, I immediately thought of my Uncle Romeo in South Philadelphia This 69-year-old bachelor living in his brownstone in South Philly – it just made sense. Instead of the servants that are traditionally in this opera, they will instead be the nosy neighbors sitting on stoops.”

This will mark the first time the opera is presented at AV since 2009 and the third time Maestro Raub conducts it.