Arizona Opera Set Performs DON GIOVANNI in Tucson This Weekend

The man, the myth and the legend. Mozart's Don Giovanni comes to the Arizona Opera stage this weekend, March 5-6, in Tucson Music Hall. Don Giovanni is sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Don Giovanni follows the adventures of the infamous lover in Seville, Spain, and is considered by many to be Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's greatest work. The masterpiece includes the recognizable overture and the famous "Catalogue Aria" sung by Leporello, counting the Don's numerous conquests.

Taking the title role, is one of today's leading baritones, Morgan Smith, who is becoming known nationally for his portrayal of the lecherous ladies man. "Baritone Morgan Smith gives an electrifying performance as Don Giovanni, radiating saturnine power, dark magnetism and cruel charm. His ample, cognac-smooth voice has just enough snarl to give it bite. This young singer already inhabits the role the way James Bond fills a tux." -The Bellingham Herald

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale at www.azopera.org or by calling (602) 266-7464 (Phoenix) or(520) 293-4336 (Tucson).

Taking the title role of the rakish Don Giovanni is baritone Morgan Smith. With his "strong, dense baritone" Smith brings an undeniable dark charm to the role of Mozart's seducer. Recent successes for Mr. Smith include his return to San Francisco Opera for the role of Starbuck in Jake Heggie's Moby-Dick, a role he inaugurated for the world premiere at Dallas Opera and later sang at San Diego Opera.

This is Mr. Smith's debut performance with Arizona Opera.

Alternating the role of Don Giovanni is baritone Joseph Lattanzi (Feb. 27). A member of the Arizona Opera Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artist Program, Lattanzi is gaining notice for his "robust vocalism," "unmistakable charisma," and "undeniable star potential." The Mableton, GA native has studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). In addition to two summers at the Merola Opera Program, he has participated in programs at the Brevard Music Center and the Chautauqua Institute Voice Program.

The cast also includes Melinda Whittington as Donna Anna, Jennifer Johnson Cano as Donna Elvira and Joseph Barron as Leporello for the performances on February 26, 28 and March 5, and Marion Roose Pullin studio alumnus Andrea Shokery as Donna Anna, Sarah Larsen as Donna Elvira and Matthew Burns as Leporello for the performances on February 27 and March 6. Full cast listings and details available at www.azopera.org

Steven White takes the podium as conductor and the production will be directed by Tara Faircloth who last directed this season's Carmen.

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