SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, the composer’s take on the tale of the fictional libertine and seducer Don Juan, is San Diego Opera’s second mainstage opera of the 2014-2015 season when it opens Saturday, Feb. 14 for four performances (Feb. 14, 17, 20 and 22).
Don Giovanni is a tale of sex, power, seduction and revenge and is the perfect showpiece for the Company debut of Italian bass baritone Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, who has made the title role of Don Giovanni one of his signature roles at all the world’s major opera houses. He is joined by Greek soprano Myrtò Papatanasiu as Donna Elivra, also in a Company debut. American soprano, Ellie Dehn, last seen as Mimì in 2010’s La bohème returns as Donna Anna. Also in Company debuts are American soprano Emily Fons as Zerlina, American tenor Paul Appleby as Ottavio, and Italian bass baritone Alex Esposito as Leporello. American bass baritone Kristopher Irmiter, last seen as the Second Priest in 2013’s Murder in the Cathedral, returns as Masetto and German bass Reinhard Hagen, last seen as Ramfis in 2013’s Aida, sings the Commendatore. Italian conductor Daniele Callegari, last heard in 2013’s Aida, returns to the Company to lead the orchestra. American stage director Nicholas Muni stages the production for which he also designed the sets. American costume designer David Burdick makes his Company debut as the costume designer. American Thomas Hase, who lit the season opener, returns as the lighting designer. This production is from the Cincinnati Opera. These performances will be the sixth time Don Giovanni has been performed by the Company with other performances occurring in 2000, 1993, 1984, and 1977. Performed in Italian with English translations above the stage.
Don Giovanni will have a radio broadcast Saturday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m.on KPBS radio, 89.5 FM (97.7 FM Calexico) and online at kpbs.org
Single tickets for all operas are on sale. Single ticket prices start at $45 and can be purchased by calling (619) 533-7000 or online at sdopera.com
