DON GIOVANNI Opens Lyric's 60th Anniversary Season Today

Lyric Opera of Chicago's 60th anniversary starts in style with a brand-new production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, Lyric's music director, and staged by director Robert Falls, artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre. It opens on Saturday, September 27 with 10 performances through Wednesday, October 29. Performance dates are Sept. 27, 30, Oct. 11, 14, 17, and 29 at 7:30pm; Oct. 2, 5, 8, and 24 at 2pm.

This production updates the opera to rural Spain in the 1920s, in between World War I and the Spanish Civil War. "This distinctive and unusual updating of Don Giovanni-the first of its kind at Lyric-came about because I wanted to introduce a 20th-century sensibility and psychology to the piece while maintaining its Spanish character," says Falls. "The result is a highly theatricalized world that uses the 1920s as a point of reference."

Bringing this bold new take is Lyric's incredible cast. Baritone Mariusz Kwiecie? stars as the infamous lothario-one of his most acclaimed roles. Sopranos Ana María Martínez, Marina Rebeka, and Andriana Chuchman play Donna Elvira, Donna Anna, and Zerlina, who Don Giovanni has respectively conquered and abandoned before the story begins, assaults in the first scene, and is seducing on her wedding day. Baritone Kyle Ketelsen portrays Leporello, the Don's indispensable right-hand man, and the cast is rounded out by bass Andrea Silvestrelli (the Commendatore), tenor Antonio Poli (Don Ottavio), and bass-baritone Michael Sumuel (Masetto).

Sumuel is making his Lyric debut with this production, and Ryan Opera Center alumna Andriana Chuchman makes her role debut as Zerlina.

The set designer is Walt Spangler (debut), the costume designer is Ana Kuzmanic (debut), and the lighting designer is Duane Schuler. The chorus is prepared by Chorus Master Michael Black. Choreography is by August Tye. Don Giovanni is Robert Falls's first opera at Lyric since Menotti's The Consul in the 1996-97 season.

For tickets and information call (312) 827-5600 or go to lyricopera.org.

The September 27 opening night will be broadcast live on 98.7WFMT and streamed live on wfmt.com. For those listening to the broadcast, live mobile titles will be available at lyricoperalive.org.

Operagoers can also enjoy the brand-new exhibit DON GIOVANNI: Past to Present before curtain and during intermission of all performances of Don Giovanni. Located in the Opera Club Wine Cellar on the lower level of the Civic Opera House, this new exhibit showcases the 60-year history of Mozart's Don Giovanni at Lyric and pays tribute to Lyric's brand-new production. It is free to all ticket holders and will on display through December.

The new Lyric Opera production of Don Giovanni is generously made possible by Mr. & Mrs. Dietrich M. Gross, the Abbott Fund, Randy L. and Melvin R. Berlin, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Gidwitz, and The Negaunee Foundation. The Gala Opening Night Performance is sponsored by Aon. Opening Night Dinner generously sponsored in memory of Debby Jannotta.

To post a comment, you must register and login.