Show artwork for Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni Don Giovanni

Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Conducted by James Conlon

September 23 – October 15, 2023

Production new to Los Angeles

At the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

He's smooth. He's shameless. He's doomed.

In the heat of the moment, the notorious Don Giovanni (aka Don Juan) murders the father of one of his conquests, unwittingly unleashing an ominous force from beyond the grave that can’t be stopped. Accustomed to getting away with anything and everything, he must now face the music as years of cruelty and debauchery come due.

Grammy Award-winning baritone Lucas Meachem returns as the ill-fated playboy, leading a dazzling ensemble of singers including Craig Colclough, Guanqun Yu and Isabel Leonard. James Conlon, renowned for his astonishing command of Mozart, conducts what many consider to be the greatest of all operas in a visually spectacular production by director Kasper Holten, with scenery by stage designer extraordinaire Es Devlin, known for innovative stage designs for Beyoncé, Adele, U2 and others.

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“[Lucas Meachem] Clearly revealed as one of the finest Don G’s of our era”

Chicago Classical Review

“Isabel Leonard’s is a world-beating Elvira, her cherry ripe mezzo and supple phrasing perfect”

Bachtrack

Cast

Don Giovanni
Lucas Meachem
Leporello
Craig Colclough
Donna Anna
Guanqun Yu
Don Ottavio
Anthony León
Donna Elvira
Isabel Leonard
Donna Elvira (Oct 4)
Tiffany Townsend
Zerlina
Meigui Zhang
Commendatore
Peixin Chen
Masetto
Alan Williams

Creative Team

Conductor
James Conlon
Director
Kasper Holten
Associate Director
Greg Eldridge
Scenery
Es Devlin
Costumes
Anja Vang Kragh
Lighting
Bruno Poet
Projections
Luke Halls
Chorus
Jeremy Frank
Original Choreographer
Signe Fabricius
Revival Choreographer
Anna-Marie Sullivan

Read the synopsis

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Synopsis

Act I  
Don Giovanni, a Spanish nobleman, is renowned throughout Europe as a seducer of women; Leporello, his servant, reluctantly aids him by keeping watch. Giovanni attempts to leave the house of Donna Anna, his most recent conquest; he kills Anna’s father, the Commendatore, when the Commendatore tries to stop him. Anna tells her fiancé, Don Ottavio, that she was raped by an unknown man, and they vow revenge on the murderer.

Leporello’s attempts to persuade his master to reform are interrupted by Donna Elvira, a former mistress of Giovanni’s, who is traveling to look for him. Giovanni leaves it to Leporello to explain the extent of his master’s womanizing.

Masetto and his bride, Zerlina, are to be married in a peasant wedding, but Giovanni sets out to seduce Zerlina. Elvira interrupts and foils Giovanni’s attempt. Ottavio and Anna appeal to Giovanni for help in their pursuit of the murderer of Anna’s father. Elvira again interrupts and warns Ottavio and Anna about Giovanni’s true nature; Anna tells Ottavio that Giovanni is the man who murdered her father.  

Leporello discusses with Giovanni the plans for the masked ball his master is hosting that evening. Zerlina assures Masetto that Giovanni has not touched her. Elvira joins forces with Ottavio and Anna; they are going to the ball and intend to exact vengeance on Giovanni. While everyone is dancing at the ball, Giovanni attempts to ensnare Zerlina, but she rallies everyone behind her to try to entrap Giovanni. All accuse him, but he and Leporello elude them once more.

Act II
Hoping for success with Elvira’s maid, Giovanni exchanges clothes with Leporello, who is instructed to lure Elvira away. Giovanni is interrupted by Masetto, who is intent on killing him, but his disguise is successful, and he beats Masetto up and escapes.  

Returning with Elvira, Leporello is mistaken for Giovanni by Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina and Masetto. Removing his disguise, Leporello convinces them that he is not the guilty one. Ottavio swears vengeance on Giovanni, whom, in spite of everything, Elvira continues to love.  

Giovanni hears the voice of the Commendatore, whom he killed, warning Giovanni of impending retribution. Giovanni orders Leporello to invite the ghost to supper. The ghost of the Commendatore accepts Don Giovanni’s invitation and arrives to send him to hell. The others rush in, and Leporello tells them what has happened. The libertine has received his just punishment.  

Based on a synopsis originally produced by the Royal Opera, Covent Garden. 

Performed in Italian with English subtitles

Running time: approximately three hours and 35 minutes, with one intermission.

Audio description will be available for the October 1 matinee.

Read James Conlon's essay Don Giovanni, the Unknowable here.

Click here to read the digital program.

Production made possible by generous support from
Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg
The Blue Ribbon
The Carol and Warner Henry Production Fund for Mozart Operas
Alfred and Claude Mann Fund

With special appreciation to
Régina and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten

Isabel Leonard’s appearance made possible by generous support from
The Eva and Marc Stern Principal Artists Fund

A co-production of Houston Grand Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Gran Teatre del Liceu (Barcelona) and the Israeli Opera

 

Artwork for Don Giovanni
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2023/24 Season