November 14. 2019 - December 08. 2019

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November 14. 2019 - December 08. 2019

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Original Lyric Production Don Giovanni

The seducer. The philanderer. The libertine who takes what he wants and lives only for his own pleasure. All three are Don Giovanni, antihero in Mozart’s drama of lust and revenge. He’s surrounded by memorable characters, including his frustrated servant Leporello and the three women he encounters: fiery Donna Elvira, tormented Donna Anna, and impressionable Zerlina. Filled with thrilling music and drama, including a finale so overpoweringly dramatic that it changed music forever, don't miss the high drama, the eye-popping costumes, and the ultimate retribution of this iconic classic.

Language: Sung in Italian with projected English translations
Running Time: 3 hours, 20 minutes with 1 intermission
Location: Lyric Opera House

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Viewed through contemporary sensibilities, Don Giovanni emerges not only as a landmark opera but a prescient one…3.5 stars (out of 4).”

Chicago Tribune

Thrillingly effective...elaborate, highly realistic sets...eye-grabbing costumes.”

Chicago Sun-Times

First-class cast, stylish staging make a Don Giovanni to die for at Lyric.”

Chicago Classical Review

★★★ ½ (out of four)...impassioned”

Chicago Sun-Times

Falls’ staging remains a model of how to freshen up a cornerstone opera.”

Chicago Classical Review

[Director Robert Falls] presents this opera in a probing, straightforward way, doing an adroit job of threading the humor and darkness of this story.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Stunning…sensational…glorious singers who also are exceptional actors.”

WTTW

Thought-provoking…thrilling stagecraft…The cast, from top to bottom, was remarkable and memorable.”

Third Coast Review

Don Giovanni videos

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See what critics are saying about Don Giovanni

"★★★ ½ (out of four)...impassioned"
–Chicago Sun-Times

"Viewed through contemporary sensibilities, Don Giovanni emerges not only as a landmark opera but a prescient one."
–Chicago Tribune

Experience Mozart's Don Giovanni

Patter Up! 60 seconds with Matthew Rose

Bass Matthew Rose, who is Leporello in Don Giovanni, talks first jobs, cats vs dogs, and what his dream golf course to play is.

An Invitation from Lucas Meachem to experience Don Giovanni

A special invitation from the Don himself to come and experience Mozart's Don Giovanni at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Meet the Lighting Designer of Don Giovanni

Meet the Costume Designer of Don Giovanni

Director Bob Falls on Don Giovanni

Meet the Set Designer of Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

“Finch’ han dal vino”

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“Là ci darem la mano”

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“Il mio tesoro intanto”

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Don Giovanni

By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2019/20 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.
A project of the Women’s Board.

Commentary by Martha Nussbaum

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Don Giovanni articles

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A "Thrillingly Effective" Don Giovanni

Audiences and critics alike are raving about Lyric's original production of Don Giovanni directed by Goodman Check out what the critical press has had to say about Mozart's masterpiece.

Director's note: Robert Falls on Don Giovanni

Mozart and Da Ponte called Don Giovanni a dramma giocoso ("humorous drama"). Although it opens with murder and concludes with Giovanni going to hell, in between it's what we know today as "black comedy."

Synopsis

Time 1920s | Place A small village in Spain

Scene 1: The street outside the Commendatore’s house

Leporello stands guard for Don Giovanni’s latest conquest. Suddenly Giovanni rushes out pursued by Donna Anna, who calls for help. Her father challenges Giovanni and is murdered by him. Returning with her fiancé, Don Ottavio, Anna vows to have vengeance.

Scene 2: A village square

Giovanni, who had previously abandoned Donna Elvira, now flees, referring her to Leporello, who recites the catalogue of Giovanni’s conquests. Masetto and Zerlina, soon to be married, celebrate with their friends. Giovanni orders Leporello to escort Masetto and the peasants to his villa. Once Masetto is gone, Giovanni seduces Zerlina. Elvira warns the girl to avoid Giovanni. Anna and Ottavio request Giovanni’s help in punishing the Commendatore’s unknown assassin. Elvira returns, but Giovanni dismisses her as a madwoman. Once they’ve gone, Anna suddenly realizes that this was, in fact, her father’s murderer.

Scene 3: The garden of Don Giovanni’s villa:

Giovanni orders Leporello to prepare a feast for that evening. Zerlina persuades Masetto to forgive her. Giovanni resumes his pursuit of Zerlina and, upon discovering Masetto, persuades the couple to enter the villa with him. Anna, Elvira, and Ottavio arrive, masked and intent on vengeance. Leporello invites them – on Giovanni’s behalf – to attend the party

Scene 4: The ballroom of Don Giovanni’s villa

Giovanni tells Leporello to distract Masetto, then leads Zerlina to another room. Suddenly her screams alarm the party guests. Giovanni blames Leporello for attacking Zerlina. Anna, Elvira, and Ottavio unmask and denounce Giovanni.
Scene 1: The street below Donna Elvira’s hotel

Leporello wants to quit working for Giovanni, but is induced to stay. Giovanni exchanges clothes with Leporello in order to seduce Elvira’s maid unrecognized. Elvira appears at a window of her hotel room, lamenting Giovanni’s cruelty. He asks her to come to him, but it’s with the disguised Leporello that she leaves. Giovanni then serenades the maid. When Masetto arrives with some armed villagers, Giovanni sends the men off and detains Masetto, whom he beats viciously. Masetto’s cries bring Zerlina, who comforts him.

Scene 2: A church

Leporello eludes Elvira but is discovered by Anna, Ottavio, Masetto, and Zerlina. Leporello reveals his true identity, begs for mercy, and escapes. Ottavio asks his companions to comfort Anna until he can return as the messenger of her vengeance. Elvira admits that although Giovanni has betrayed her, she still pities him.

Scene 3: A cemetery

Giovanni tells Leporello about his latest adventures. The two hear the Commendatore’s voice emanating from a statue. Giovanni orders Leporello to invite the statue to dinner.

Scene 4: Donna Anna’s house

Anna begs Ottavio to wait to marry her until her grief for her father has subsided. When he berates her for treating him cruelly, she assures him of her love.

Scene 5: Don Giovanni’s dining room

Giovanni is enjoying food and wine when Elvira bursts in, imploring him to change his ways, but he ignores her pleading. The statue arrives and orders him to repent. Giovanni refuses and is dragged to hell. Leporello tells Anna, Ottavio, Elvira, Zerlina, and Masetto what has happened, and all proclaim the end of an evildoer.

Program book

Go inside this production of Don Giovanni with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

VIEW DIGITAL PROGRAM BOOK

Meet The artists

Lucas Meachem

Don Giovanni

(Nov. 14-30)

American baritone Lucas Meachem sung The Queen of Spades, and Don Giovanni (2019|20) at Lyric Opera

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Ryan McKinny

Don Giovanni

(Dec. 3-8)

American bass-baritone Ryan McKinny made his Lyric Opera debut as Joseph De Rocher in Dead Man Walking (2019|20).

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Matthew Rose

Leporello

Matthew Rose's Lyric credits include Don Giovanni (2019|20) and Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16)

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Rachel Willis-Sørensen

Donna Anna

The American soprano has been hailed as Donna Anna at the Metropolitan Opera, London’s Royal Opera, and in Vienna, Houston, and Dresden. She made her Lyric debut as Donna Anna/ Don Giovanni (2019|20)

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Amanda Majeski

Donna Elvira

Ryan Opera Center alumna

American soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna Amanda Majeski has been performing with Lyric since 2009.

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Ying Fang

Zerlina

Chinese soprano Ying Fang made her Lyric Opera debut as Zerlina/Don Giovanni (2019|20).

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Ben Bliss

Don Ottavio

American tenor Ben Bliss made his Lyric Opera debut as Don Ottavio/Don Giovanni (2019/20).

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Mika Kares

Commendatore

Finnish bass Mika Kares made his Lyric Opera debut as Commendatore/Don Giovanni (2019|20).

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Brandon Cedel

Masetto

American bass-baritone Brandon Cedel made his Lyric Opera debut as Masetto/Don Giovanni (2019|20).

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James Gaffigan

Conductor

American conductor James Gaffigan conducted Don Giovanni (2019|20) and Così fan tutte (2017|18) at Lyric Opera.

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Robert Falls

Director

American director Robert Falls directed four operas at Lyric Opera since 1993|94

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Walt Spangler

Set Designer

Designer Walt Spangler's Lyric credits include Don Giovanni (2019|20, 2014|15).

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Ana Kuzmanic

Costume Designer

The Yugoslav-born designer Ana Kuzmanic's acclaimed costumes for Lyric’s Don Giovanni production have also earned critical praise at Dallas Opera.

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Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Former resident lighting designer Duane Schuler worked on more than 140 productions at Lyric Opera since 1977.

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Michael Black

Chorus Master

Michael Black has served Lyric Opera of Chicago since the 2013/14 Season.

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