Port Macquarie is about to be swept up in the stylishly sexy decadence of 1950s Italy in Oz Opera’s new production of Mozart’s classic opera. The original “Casanova”, Don Giovanni, is about to seduce a new generation of opera-goers in this exciting new production of Mozart’s classic masterpiece, directed by Michael Gow.
Opera Australia’s regional touring program, Oz Opera, has had a makeover for its 2012 Regional Tour with renowned theatre director Michael Gow taking to Mozart’s Don Giovanni with a radical approach.
“It’s really fast-paced, really passionate, really violent and really funny,” says Gow with a laugh. “It has a kind of 1950s ‘La Dolce Vita’ feel to it. If you’ve never been to the opera before, this is a great one. It’s got the big operatic numbers, a very famous duet, some comedy and great twist at the end!”
The story in a nutshell: Don Giovanni spends his days in the company of gorgeous women, fine food and the best champagne. As the story begins, he’s ready to add more women to his catalogue of conquests, but this time his dalliances are not going entirely to plan. The abandoned Elvira is trying to track him down, Donna Anna wants to avenge the death of her father (which Giovanni may have had something to do with), and Zerlina just wants to get married without the Don’s amorous interference. And something even more sinister is waiting just around the corner. It seems opera’s favourite bad boy is about to meet his match.
“To many people, Don Giovanni is the best opera ever written. I want to make sure everyone knows why, by giving Australians, from all walks of life, an experience of this opera that will knock their socks off!” says Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia who has selected this show for the 2012 Oz Opera National Tour, and cast Michael Gow as Director, and a raft of young Principal Artists to perform.
Part of Lyndon Terracini’s vision for Opera Australia in 2012 (his first year as Artistic Director) is to make opera accessible and entertaining to a wider public than ever before. His approach has seen the Company creating some new kinds of opera experiences in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane — including Opera on Sydney Harbour, and a family-friendly, puppet-laden performance of The Magic Flute.
Now, he turns his attention to the Oz Opera Regional Tour, giving it an upgrade by casting many of the company’s Principal Artists on stage, and appointing one of Australia’s finest theatre directors.
Lyndon Terracini says, “The reason I wanted to have Michael Gow direct Don Giovanni for the Oz Opera Regional Tour was that, as a theatre director, he has a great sense of showmanship. So it won’t just be good opera, but a great show! It’s in English so everyone can understand the words. It’s shortened so nobody will get bored! And we have some of our best young performers in the lead roles, so we make sure the standard is one that we can be really proud of.”
Best dressed
The Glasshouse has teamed up with Port Central to encourage patrons to indulge themselves and Don Their Finest Threads for the opera event of the year.
Patrons will be judged over the three nights and winners will be announced the following week.
1st Prize: One night’s accommodation at The Observatory in a one-bedroom ocean view apartment PLUS bottle of Cassegrain wine and chocolates on arrival.
2nd Prize: $100 voucher for dinner at Rydges Port Macquarie
All best dressed entrants go in the draw to win a $50 voucher from the following Port Central retailers: Madison Avenue, Manning Shoes, Coffee Club, Port Central and Man to Man.
All Don Giovanni ticket holders can visit Zebu on the night of the ticketed show and purchase a Don cocktail for $10 (value $15).
Show details
Don Giovanni @ the Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
Friday, August 17, 7.30pm
Saturday, August 18, 7.30pm
Monday, August 20, 7.30pm
Book now: glasshouse.org.au, call 02 6581 888.
