The Tri-Valley’s own professional opera company, Livermore Valley Opera (LVOpera), continues its thrilling 33rd season with Mozart’s Don Giovanni sung in Italian with English supertitles, at the Bankhead Theater on Mar. 1, the first of four performances that run through Mar. 9. New this season, the Saturday performance on Mar. 8 will be a 2pm matinee instead of an evening performance.
Mozart’s operatic masterpiece is a compelling drama that revolves around Don Giovanni’s amorous escapades. Accompanied by his skeptical servant Leporello, the libertine pursues rich and poor alike until his wanton ways finally lead to his dramatic downfall. Filled with some of his most famous music and much-beloved arias, Mozart’s Don Giovanni offers an unforgettable experience.
Notes Erie Mills, LVOpera’s Artistic Director, “Mozart’s Don Giovanni is regarded as one of the greatest operas of all time. Based on the Don Juan story, this is one of the three Mozart/Da Ponte scores. The music is sublime, and the characters are complex and intriguing. There is never a dull moment musically or dramatically.”
Mills adds, “We are delighted to have Robert Herriot return as Stage Director. He is an LVOpera favorite, and I can’t wait to see what he does with this opera.” All performances will be expertly accompanied by the Livermore Valley Opera Orchestra, conducted by Music Director, Maestro Alexander Katsman.
Featured artists include baritone Titus Muzi III, who will make his LVOpera debut playing the title role of Don Giovanni. Muzi, hailed as “a powerful stage figure, with a very together, integrated voice,” (Parterre, 2022) “sings with burnished resonance and acts with unstoppable energy and imagination” (Chestnut Hill Local). Samuel Weiser returns to the LVOpera stage playing the role of Don Giovanni’s servant, Leporello. Weiser, who performed in the role of Dr. Dulcamara in LVOpera’s October 2022 production of The Elixir of Love, “has a powerful, nicely-colored bass-baritone voice capable of rendering the full range of emotions, and he is a riveting actor” (Classical Voice America).
Making her LVOpera debut, Cuban-American soprano Meryl Dominguez will play the role of Donna Anna. Recognized for her versatility on the opera stage, Dominguez has received critical acclaim for her “intensity and warm tone” (Bachtrack), and for singing with “gorgeous, crystalline highs and a powerful mid-range” (Arts Knoxville). Also making her LVOpera debut, soprano Cara Gabrielson will play the role of Donna Elvira. Gabrielson is known for “singing with vibrant color and a beautifully modulated range of expressive techniques,” which gives the audience “reason to sit up and take notice” (San Francisco Chronicle).
David Walton will play the role of Don Ottavio. Walton, praised for his “clean, clear voice,” has dazzled audiences across the country with “charismatic presence and sweet pleasing tenor” (Cincinnati Business Courier). After captivating audiences as Pamina in LVOpera’s March 2024 production of The Magic Flute, Phoebe Chee returns to the stage to play the role of Zerlina. Hailed by Spot Pocket Opera Theater as “one of Singapore’s most promising young sopranos,” Chee continues to push vocal boundaries, as she explores and masters a wide range of vocal repertoire from early music to more contemporary works.
Making his LVOpera debut, Greek-American bass-baritone Joseph Calzada will play the role of Masetto. Calzada is currently refining his craft as a Professional Studies student at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Returning to the LVOpera stage, bass Kirk Eichelberger will play the role of Il Commendatore. Eichelberger has been praised for “commanding the stage at every turn” (San Francisco Chronicle) and for his “resonant bass and riveting stage presence” (Dayton City Paper). As a seasoned artist, he holds the impressive distinction of working with the Don Giovanni score for over twenty-five years, having played almost every lead male role several times in numerous productions during this period.
Adds Mills, “We have assembled a stellar cast of singing actors, and it will be a joy for audiences to hear and watch them perform. The set is brilliantly designed by LVOpera’s resident designer, Jean-Francois Revon. A beautiful red rose plays an important role as the story unfolds on stage.”
Pre-Performance Talk
Included in the ticket price is an informative pre-performance talk held one hour prior to
curtain time. LVOpera’s traditional artist reception is held in the lobby immediately following each performance.
Special Opening Night Event
Opening Night on March 1 includes a four-course dinner at Uncle Yu’s at the Vineyard in downtown Livermore. Welcome reception with appetizers begins at 4pm followed by dinner seating at 4:30pm. All dishes will be paired with award-winning wines from sponsor Cuda Ridge Wines. Tickets for the Opening Night Dinner must be purchased separately ($130 per person). Before the performance begins, meet in the Bankhead Theater lobby at 7pm to hear talented students from the Young Musicians Choral Orchestra perform selections from Guys and Dolls and other upbeat musical numbers.
LVOpera is a professional opera company and a 501(c) 3 non-profit charitable arts organization. For more information, visit LVOpera.com.
Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Saturday, Mar. 1 @ 7:30pm, Season Opening Night
Sunday, Mar. 2, @ 2pm
Saturday, Mar. 8 @ 2pm (new Saturday matinee performance)
Sunday, Mar. 9 @ 2pm
The Bankhead Theater
2400 First St., Livermore
(Free parking available directly across from the theater)
925.373.6800.
Tickets:
Adults $25-$110
Special ticket pricing: $25 for age 20 and younger; $45 for ages 21 to 40
