Don Giovanni

Mozart's legendary seducer

No one crosses his path unscathed. Don Giovanni, the most famous seducer in the history of opera, races through life like a force of nature. Dutch National Opera revisits Claus Guth’s successful production.

Mozart's legendary seducer

Don Giovanni was Mozart’s second collaboration with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, following their success with Le nozze di Figaro. This masterpiece would become world-renown as the ‘greatest opera of all time’, a piece that combines comedy, tragedy and supernatural elements into an exceptionally moving and multifaceted opera experience.

Viva la libertà

In this interpretation by Claus Guth (whose previous productions with DNO include Un ballo in maschera, Jephtha and Rodelinda) Don Giovanni is mortally wounded in the opening scene and, as he slowly dies, the drama unfolds in a dark, moonlit forest designed by Christian Schmidt. Facing death, Don Giovanni sticks by his motto ‘Viva la libertà’ at all costs.

This is French conductor, Jérémie Rhorer’s second Mozart opera in collaboration with DNO, following Die Entführung aus dem Serail in 2017. This time too, he conducts the Nederlands Kamerorkest (Netherlands Chamber Orchestra). Romanian baritone Adrian Sâmpetrean of the original cast from 2016 returns in the role of Don Giovanni’s servant, Leporello. He is accompanied by an exciting ensemble bursting with young talent.

Making his DNO debut, American bass-baritone Seth Carico brings his charismatic stage personality to the role of Don Giovanni. Following the livestreamed Ein deutsches Requiem, Romanian soprano, Adela Zaharia, winner of the World Opera Competition, Operalia returns to DNO in the role of Donna Anna. The young Chinese tenor, Long Long, one of the most exciting voices of his generation, performs his DNO debut as her sweet-voiced fiancé, Don Ottavio.

The young couple, Masetto and Zerlina are played by two Dutch singers, soprano Lilian Farahani and bass-baritone Frederik Bergman.

Performance information

Libretto Lorenzo da Ponte
Musical direction  Jérémie Rhorer
Direction  Claus Guth
Set and costume designs  Christian Schmidt
Dramaturgy  Ronny Dietrich
Lighting design  Olaf Winter
Choreography  Ramses Sigl

Don Giovanni Seth Carico
Il Commendatore Rafał Siwek
Donna Anna Adela Zaharia
Don Ottavio Long Long
Donna Elvira Amanda Majeski
Leporello Adrian Sâmpetrean
Masetto Frederik Bergman*
Zerlina Lilian Farahani

*Dutch National Opera Studio alumnus

Orchestra Nederlands Kamerorkest (Netherlands Chamber Orchestra)
Chorus Dutch National Opera Chorus
Chorus masters Klaas-Jan de Groot & Ad Broeksteeg

Produced by Staatsoper unter den Linden (Berlin) in collaboration with Salzburger Festspiele

Sung in Italian

Marco Borggreve

Free online programme booklet

Click on the link below and receive the free online programme booklet before the premiere. The booklet contains beautiful images and everything you need to know about the music and cast!

Receive the programme booklet

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To ensure that, in spite of the current corona pandemic, your visit is as safe as possible, Dutch National Opera & Ballet follows the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Read more

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9 May

Claus Guth's direction is clever, dark and perfectionist in its timing and elaboration of the characters.

23 October

Both acts ended in triumphs, but the ballroom scene in Act I was strikingly wel lconstructed, with sparklingly elegant dances and the trio "Protegga il giusto cielo" really sounding like a hushed, fearful prayer.

14 May

Anyone who wants to experience the power of opera must see this.

Don Giovanni, photo: Marco Borggreve

Don Giovanni, photo: Monika Rittershaus

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

For more than 30 years, The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra | The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra has beenthe primary orchestral partner of Dutch National Opera. It is counted among the best opera orchestras of the world. The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam is the main podium for the orchestra’s concerts. In addition to the programmes with chief conductor Lorenzo Viotti and Gordan Nikolić (musical director of The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra), the orchestra works with internationally renowned guest conductors and soloists, as well as with a new generation of excellent musicians.

The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra

The orchestra strives to make classical music accessible to everyone who is open to it. On countless stages, the orchestra brings people together through music and provides an excellent musical experience for both experienced and new audiences. With its welcoming and open home, the NedPhO-Dome in the ‘Indische Buurt’ in Amsterdam, the orchestra is situated in the heart of the community. In the 21/22 season, The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra will join us for the season opener Der Zwerg and the DNO productions Missa in tempore belli, La traviata, the world premiere of Eurydice – Die Liebenden, blind and Tosca. The Netherlands Chamber Orchestra will participate in Don Giovanni and Anna Bolena.

Introduction

Almost every performance at Dutch National Opera & Ballet is preceded by an introduction, with background information that can deepen your theater visit. The introductions are in Dutch and admission is free by showing a valid ticket.

Time: 45 minutes before the start of each performance
Location: Odeonzaal; entrance between the even and odd cloakrooms
Introduction to Don Giovanni: Hein van Eekert