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THE ROYAL OPERA
Music Director
Director of Opera
A Co-production with Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, The Israeli Opera and Houston Grand Opera
Generous philanthropic support from Julia and Hans Rausing
Don Giovanni
OPERA BUFFA IN TWO ACTS
21.09.2022 7:00 PM
APPROXIMATE TIMINGS
GUIDANCE
This production contains themes of violence and sexual harassment. There are strobe effects throughout.
CREDITS
CAST
Wedding guests, party guests, musicians
Extra Chorus
Soprano Vanessa Woodfine
Bass Oliver Gibbs
Actors Catherine Addy, Josephine Arden, Aquira Bailey-Browne, Sarah Ekuhoho-Sharman, Christina Harris, Kelly Homewood, Hazel Ross, Amelia Stanimeros
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. When Anna’s father, the Commendatore, tries to stop him, Don Giovanni kills 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 looking for him. Giovanni escapes, leaving Leporello to explain the extent of his master’s womanizing.
Masetto and his bride Zerlina are to be married at a peasant wedding, but Giovanni decides to seduce Zerlina. Elvira interrupts and foils Giovanni’s attempts. Unaware of Giovanni’s identity, Ottavio and Anna appeal to him for help in their pursuit of the murderer of Anna’s father. Elvira again interrupts and warns Ottavio and Anna that Giovanni is not to be trusted. As Giovanni leaves, Anna reveals that Giovanni killed her father.
Leporello and his master discuss the masquerade ball they will host that evening. Zerlina assures the jealous Masetto that Giovanni has not touched her. Elvira joins forces with Ottavio and Anna; they intend to take revenge on Giovanni at the ball. While everyone is dancing at the ball Giovanni attempts to ensnare Zerlina, but she rallies all behind her to try to entrap Giovanni. All accuse him, but he and Leporello elude them once more.
INTERVAL
ACT II
Hoping for success with Elvira’s maid, Giovanni swaps 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. Revealing his disguise, Leporello convinces them that he is not guilty, and escapes. 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 dinner. The ghost of the Commendatore accepts Don Giovanni’s invitation and arrives to send him to hell.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
THE ROYAL OPERA
Patron
Music Director
Director of Opera
Director of Casting
Administrative Director
DIGITAL CAST SHEETS
We are working to make the Royal Opera House more sustainable. To do this, some of the ways in which we share information have changed, including cast sheets.
You can view the digital cast sheets on a computer, tablet or smartphone. You can also download and print the digital cast sheet. Check the digital cast sheet for the most up-to-date information before the performance starts, during the interval, or after the performance day.
Scan the QR codes displayed around the building with a smartphone to view the latest digital cast sheets. The cast sheets are also displayed on screens outside the auditoria.
Cast sheets generously supported by the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
GUIDELINES
Photography and filming are prohibited during performances in any of our auditoriums. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the rest of the building and before performances and share them with us through social media. Commercial photography and filming must be agreed in advance with our press team.
Larger bags and backpacks need to be check into our complimentary cloakrooms. Unattended bags may be removed.
Please do not place any personal belongings on the ledges in front of you.
Only bottled water and ice cream purchased from the premises can be taken into the auditorium.
If you arrive late to the auditorium or leave during a performance, you will not be allowed back to your seat until the interval or a suitable break.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
The safety of our visitors, staff and artists is still our priority. There are hand sanitiser stations throughout the building. To help us provide a comfortable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space.
Our staff are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and we ask that you show them and your fellow audience members respect too. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach in response to anyone who interacts with our staff or with fellow audience members in an intimidating, aggressive or threatening manner.
SUPPORT OUR ONGOING RECOVERY
We are so glad to welcome our artists back to our theatres to perform for you the opera and ballet you love. During the pandemic we lost £3 in every £5 of our income and we continue to feel the impact as we recover. Sustaining the future of ballet and opera has never been so important. Please consider making a donation to the Royal Opera House community today and help support the future of ballet and opera.