Don Giovanni, Hackney Empire

Mozart’s Don Giovanni (1787) may be one of the most popular operas ever written, but beneath its masterful melodies and breathtaking arias it is quite an odd beast. The finale, in which the Don is dragged down to hell, is an iconic moment of drama, yet much of what precedes it is rather more akin to a picaresque comedy, episodic and rambunctious. The ending’s supernatural turn follows scenes of an entirely earthly nature. It is an opera where we are drawn to reflect upon character more than plot, as we determine for ourselves whether Giovanni deserves his sorry ultimate fate.
A new production of Mozart’s great work is always an exciting prospect. For their Spring 2016, the English Touring Opera are producing a new version of Mozart’s classic, which begins its run with two nights in London’s Hackney Empire. Lloyd Wood, a rising figure in both opera and theatre, directs, with the orchestra led by the experienced conductor Michael Rosewell. The eponymous role is split between lyric baritone George von Bergen and the graceful Nicholas Lester, while Piotr Lempla plays his nemesis the Commentadore. Camilla Roberts shares Donna Anna with Gillian Ramm, while Ania Jeruc and Samantha Hay tackle Donna Elvira. This will be a sterling opportunity to see Don Giovanni outside the usual West End venues.
Founded by the Arts Council in 1979, the English Touring Opera has a mission of spreading opera outside the capital and to audiences that would not normally be able to experience it. Twice a year, they embark on a tour that takes in venues across the country. With a mixture of established repertoire classics and more obscure gems, they are treasured for their inventiveness, community participation and habit of discovering new stars. In 2014, they won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera for King Priam and Paul Bunyan.