Lyric Love

By Valerie Jennison

Lyric Opera San Diego presents Gaetano Donizetti’s romantic comedy about a young couple who must outwit a wily old man to unify their love. Full of charm, warmth and witty humor, Don Pasquale tells a tangled story of love conquering all despite perilous circumstances. The cast includes soprano Megan Weston (Lisa in last season’s Countess Maritza), John Zuckerman (who performed in last season’s Cinderella) and Gustavo Halley, who has played the title character’s role in three languages. Besides being the first performance in English by a local professional opera company, Don Pasquale is the beginning of a series of Donizetti operas to be staged by Lyric Opera San Diego. Nov. 3-12: Thur.-Sat. at 7:30, Sun. at 2. Stephen & Mary Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., 619-239-8836; lyricoperasandiego.com.

Seen

	Beyond the Track After the Finish Line hosted a benefit luncheon and auction for Thoroughbred racehorses no longer able to race or breed.

	Sound of Summer A Night of Fantasy, a gala concert, included a champagne-and-caviar reception, musical performances, dinner with the artists and dancing.

	Under African Skies Bill Hoehn was honorary chair of Safari by the Sea, an African safari-meets-Pacific surf-theme gala benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad.

	Pups in Tuxes Dave Mason of 105.7 FM (The Walrus) and Clear Channel’s Pamela Howe emceed the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA’s 22nd annual Fur Ball.