Music and drama to thrill you from beginning to end

Mozart’s Don Giovanni occupies a unique place in the life of Lyric Opera of Chicago. In 1954, after six different opera companies had failed over the previous half a century, Lyric Opera introduced itself to Chicago, with a calling-card production of Don Giovanni. Against all odds, it triumphed with critics and the public alike. From that point on, Don Giovanni has continued to captivate Lyric audiences, revealing to both experienced operagoers and first-timers the extroadinary genius of Mozart, one of the greatest musical dramatists in the history of opera.

We think of Don Giovanni differently these days. The issues presented by the opera are disturbingly contemporary and the protagonist’s behavior feels more despicable than ever. The characters and their relationships need to be considered from a contemporary perspective, and we encourage you to reflect on and discuss the opera’s meaning for today.

The unnerving timeliness of Don Giovanni requires a particularly thoughtful and sensitive director. We’re very fortunate to have Robert Falls, who created and premiered this production with huge success as part of Lyric’s 60th-anniversary season in 2014|15. Bob’s work as longtime artistic director of the Goodman Theatre has had a lasting impact on Chicago’s theater scene. He has collaborated on Don Giovanni with the brilliant conductor, James Gaffigan, whose command of Mozart’s style in our recent Così fan tutte made a deep impression at Lyric.

This season’s Don Giovanni is historic in that seldom, if ever, has a single Lyric production featured the debuts of so many internationally celebrated artists. Only Lucas Meachem (Don Giovanni), Matthew Rose (Leporello), and Ryan Opera Center alumna Amanda Majeski (Donna Elvira) have appeared here previously. We’re excited to have them back, along with their colleagues whom our audience is applauding for the first time: the second of our two Don Giovannis, Davide Luciano; our Donna Anna and Don Ottavio, Rachel Willis-Sørensen and Ben Bliss; our Commendatore, Mika Kares; and our Zerlina and Masetto, Ying Fang and Brandon Cedel. A hearty welcome to them all!

As we look ahead, all of us at Lyric, front-of-house and backstage, will continue to build on this progress. We’re confident that we’re on the right path, and we thank you for your support of everything we do. We know Don Giovanni. We know it will be a memorable highlight of your operagoing this season.