Mozart's Don Giovanni June 2011 - VBC Playhouse

Ars Nova School of the Arts will be performing Mozart's beloved Don Giovanni June 10 - 12, 2011. Directed by Paul Houghtaling, head of opera studies at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the opera will be performed at the VBC Playhouse with orchestra under the direction of Billy Orton.

 Good seats still available!

Sales begin at 1:45 pm at the VBC Playhouse

Don Giovanni, a young nobleman, after a life of conquests, meets defeat in his three encounters: with Donna Elvira, whom he has deserted although she still follows him; with Donna Anna, whose father, the Commendatore, Giovanni has killed while escaping from an unsuccessful attempt at seduction and as a result postpones her marriage to Don Ottavio; and with Zerlina, whom he vainly tries to lure from her fianceé, the peasant Masetto.

All three - Donna Elvira, Donna Anna, and Serlina - vow vengeance on the Don and his servant, Leporello.

Eventually, Donna Elvira weakens in her resolution and attempts reconciliation, hoping that the Don reforms.

Don Giovanni's destruction and deliverance to hell are effected by the cemetery statue of the Commendatore, who had accepted the libertine's invitation to supper.

Characters:

Don Giovanni - Joe Stephenson
Donna Anna - Estefania Wilcox
Donna Elvira - Christie Weber
Zerlina - Demi Vanderwerff
Don Ottavio - Jim Mandras
Leporello - John Weber
Masetto - Brandon Shapiro

*Although this opera is often classified as comic, in reality it's a blend of comic (buffa) and drama (seria). Perhaps its success is the unique blending of both, aside from the fascinating character of Don Juan himself, who, despite his scandalous ways still endeared him to women, became a challenge to the men in those days.