This production is exercise in style, some sort of post-modern universe where everything is signified but nothing means anything.

The cast, led by the magnificent Bryn Terfel in the title role, all do their jobs wonderfully. Terfel himself acts and sings beautifully, while also giving us an unusually sympathetic portrayal of the

The performers, as you would expect from Royal Opera stars, are excellent. Their voices blend beautifully, and their Bel Canto is thrilling.

What can be enjoyed are the performances, including that under Evelino Pido in the pit. Ioan Hotea’s sweetly sung Ernesto may suffer from slightly wonky intonation, but Markus Werba’s Malatesta is

In fact, the costumes are great, that of Don Pasquale’s nephew Ernesto possibly excepted. His blue-grey polo shirt makes the character look like he’s going to work in a suburban call centre on dre