Mozart's Don Giovani in Concert, One Week Only
Published: March 06, 2013 | Read Time: 3 minutes
Based on the scandalous exploits of fictional seducer Don Juan, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has given us one of the most well-known and popular operas of all time. With great anticipation, SUU’s Department of Music is proud to present both comedy and melodrama in Don Giovanni as part of its Music Masterworks Series, featuring singers from the SUU Opera.
The SUU production of the acclaimed opera, which will run Wednesday, March 6 through Saturday, March 9, will be staged in both English and Italian on alternating performances. English performances are March 6 and 8; Italian performances are March 7 and 9. All performances will be held in the Heritage Center Theater, 105 N 100 E, in downtown Cedar City, with a 7:30 p.m. curtain time.
Under the stage direction of Carol Ann Modesitt, Professor and Director of Opera and Voice, the evening promises to be enjoyable for all. The popularity and longevity of this production has caused Don Giovanni to be performed in opera houses for years all over the world.
“Don Giovanni is not only a great work that has stood the test of time, but an entertaining morality play which brings home the cost of unbridled greed and immorality. In short, Don Giovanni must pay for his mistaken choices, and this is something our current culture needs to understand,” explained Modesitt when asked why she selected this production. “It provides students with living history of culture and mores with insights into the background of current civilization in a way that lectures and textbooks cannot.”
Performed in two acts, Don Giovanni follows the sexual exploits and deceits of its namesake. He promises marriage to many women before abandoning them, and he and his servant, Leporello, deceive and outwit others so that by the end of the opera, everyone pursues the duo in anger. We then see what becomes of someone who lives with such duplicity toward others.
Joining Modesitt in bringing Don Giovanni to the SUU stage are music director Dr. Willem van Schalkwyk and conductor Xun Sun. Production design is led by Alana Pichot, set; Ellen Osborne, costume; Lizzie Andersen, lighting; Christie Kozlowski, makeup.
This production features two casts of SUU students and a guest artist.
The English cast features SUU students Luke Johnson as Don Giovanni, Ben Lieske as Don Ottavio, Brandon Campbellas the comedic servant, Leporello, Greg Watts as Il Commendatore, Alex Byers as Masetto, Sara Thorson as Donna Elvira,Michelle Reid as Zerlina, and Janese Shaw as Donna Anna.
The Italian cast features SJayson Le Baron as Don Giovanni, Cameron Pruett as Don Ottavio, Alex Byers as the comedic servant, Leporello, Greg Watts as Il Commendatore, Brandon Campbell as Masetto, Christina Meikle as Donna Elvira, and Arielle Tholen as Zerlina. This cast also features guest artist Jill Dewsnup as Donna Anna.
The chorus includes SUU students Alisha Fabbi, Annie Powell, Sara Williams, Rebecca Dayton, Robert Durburow, Coby Palfreyman, Hayden Merrill, Troy Richardson and Austin Schirling.
Experience this scandal in both Italian and English as this cunning nobleman uses his position and title to navigate the hearts of women in the entertaining Don Giovanni.
General adult admission tickets are $8, SUU faculty and staff tickets are $6 and youth tickets are $4. SUU students are admitted free by presenting a valid ID at the door. To purchase tickets, call 435-586-7872 or visit suu.edu/pva. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
For more information on the SUU College of Performing and Visual Arts events, please call the Arts Hotline at (435) 865-8800, or visit SUU's PVA.
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