Editing Don Pasquale (section)

===Act 2===
[[File:Son tradito, calpestato (Don Pasquale).webm|thumb|Act II finale, "Son tradito", at the [[Liceu]] in 2015.  Cast: 
Lorenzo Regazzo (Don Pasquale), Valentina Nafornita (Norina), Juan Francisco Gatell (Ernesto), [[Mariusz Kwiecien]] (Dottor Malatesta)]]
''A salon in the home of Don Pasquale''

Ernesto is alone: lamenting his fate, he considers his decision to leave Rome (''Cercherò lontana terra'' – "I shall seek a distant land").  He leaves the room just as Pasquale enters, dressed in his outdated finery, along with his servants, to whom he gives instructions to admit Malatesta on his arrival.  He parades around in his grand costume, hoping it will conceal his advancing years.

Malatesta arrives with Norina in tow, and introduces her to Pasquale as his sister, Sofronia, fresh out of the convent.  Pasquale is smitten, and Norina plays the part of a dutiful, modest and submissive lady, to Pasquale's satisfaction.  Norina consents to the proposed marriage, which delights Pasquale.  He wants to send for the notary to conduct the ceremony straight away – conveniently, Malatesta has brought one along, who waits in the antechamber.

Malatesta fetches the supposed notary, as servants arrange a table.  Taking his seat, the "notary" writes out a marriage contract as dictated by Malatesta and Pasquale (''Fra da una parta'' – "Between, on one hand"), where the Don bequeaths all his estate to be administered by Sofronia.  The contract is quickly drawn up: Pasquale signs but, before Norina can affix her signature, Ernesto bursts in.  Intending to say a final farewell, he is amazed to see Norina about to marry Pasquale.  However, Malatesta persuades him not to say anything (''Figliol non mi far scene'' – "Son, don't make a scene"), and he is forced to act as the final witness much to Don Pasquale's delight.

As soon as the contract is signed, Norina abandons her pretence of docility, and refuses Pasquale's embrace.  She announces her intention to teach ''him'' manners, and to have Ernesto as a gallant to accompany her on evening strolls.  Pasquale is horrified at this transformation, while Malatesta and Ernesto can barely conceal their amusement (''È rimasto là impietrato'' – "He stands there, petrified").  Summoning the household staff, Norina recites a long list of demands – more servants (young and handsome at that), carriages and horses, furniture – and instructs them to spare no expense, doubling all their wages.  Pasquale is stricken at his misfortune, so Malatesta urges him to go to bed.