OBSERVER: Don Giovanni
Melbourne Opera presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni (The Rake Punished) from April 26 – May 3 at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne.
Directed by Suzanne Chaundy, this staging strikes at the heart of Don Giovanni’s narcissism and brutality, refusing to brush over his assaults as mere elements of the dramma giocoso. Instead, it gives voice and agency to the women he has wronged. Universally acknowledged as one of the greatest operas ever written, this time Don Giovanni will see justice finally served.
Three Australian sopranos will join forces in passionate revenge. Lee Abrahmsen (“Die Meistersinger”, The Ring Cycle) as Donna Anna for her own assault and for the death of her father, Eleanor Greenwood (Turandot, The Ring Cycle) as conflicted wife Donna Elvira, and Soprano Rebecca Rashleigh (Herald Sun Aria Winner 2018, The Ring Cycle) is the peasant bride Zerlina, whom the Don attempts to seduce the night she marries Masetto. Masetto is performed by Stephen Marsh, who has just returned from the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Portraying Don Giovanni is international baritone Christopher Tonkin.
Henry Shaw, winner of the OCCA Best Emerging Talent Award 2025, is singing Don Giovanni’s servant Leporello. Bass Eddie Muliaumaseali’i joins the cast as the murdered Commendatore, who drags Don Giovanni to the hell that he deserves. Tenor Henry Choo is singing Don Ottavio, betrothed to Donna Anna.
Green Room Award nominated conductor Raymond Lawrence will conduct, delivering some of Mozart’s most famous music. Highlights include ‘Catalogue Aria’ (Madamina, il catalogo è questo), the seductive duet ‘Là ci darem la mano’ and the rapid Champagne Aria (Fin ch’han dal vino).
Performance Season: April 26 – May 3
Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St., Melbourne
Bookings: www.melbourneopera.com
Cheryl Threadgold
with Rain Fuller