Opera Holland Park’s 2011 season began in sparkling style with a rib-tickling, and exceptionally well-sung, production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale.

This tune-packed, light-hearted work shows us that always reliably comic figure — an old man making a fool of himself over a young woman.

The absurd Pasquale (baritone Donald Maxwell, on top form) was transformed in Stephen Barlow’s modern-dress production into the proprietor of a seaside fish and chip shop.

Having vetoed the plan by nephew Ernesto (the superb lyric tenor Colin Lee) to marry hard-up Norina (Majella Cullagh), the preening Pasquale decides to take a wife for himself. But where to find one?

His friend Dr Malatesta (Richard Burkhard) proposes his ‘sister’ Sophronia — said to be a saintly ex-nun, but in fact Norina in disguise.

The fake wedding over, she transforms from submissive innocent into a demanding, big-spending harpy, with the intention — soon achieved — of curing Pasquale’s fondness for the married state and making him more agreeable to Ernesto’s marital ambitions.

Singers and orchestra all performed superbly under the baton of veteran bel canto specialist Richard Bonynge. The highlight of a delightful evening was Ernesto’s lovely serenade Com ’è gentil and the affecting duet with Norina that followed.