Staff Writer
Opera UCT brings one of Mozart’s most celebrated operas, Don Giovanni, to Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre from 22 to 25 October, in a fully staged production featuring the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Directed by French-American director and Royal Opera Jette Parker Artist Talia Stern, the production explores the darker side of Mozart’s legendary seducer. Don Giovanni is a man accustomed to getting what he wants, leaving a trail of deception and discarded relationships behind him. But after one of his conquests ends in murder, his actions set in motion consequences he can no longer escape.
Stern’s interpretation looks beyond the familiar image of Don Giovanni as simply a libertine or villain, instead exploring the fears and motivations beneath his confidence and bravado.
The creative team includes Italian set and costume designer Allegra Bernacchioni, whose international credits include Teatro alla Scala, the Arena di Verona and the Royal Opera House Muscat. Opera UCT director Jeremy Silver shares conducting duties with Hong Kong-born conductor and Royal Ballet and Opera Jette Parker Artist Peggy Wu.
Mozart’s score moves between dark tragedy and comedy, combining dramatic orchestral passages, expressive arias and energetic ensembles. The production is sung in Italian, with English and isiXhosa subtitles.
For Cape Town audiences, the production also offers an opportunity to experience emerging opera talent alongside an international creative team and the full sound of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Don Giovanni runs for approximately three hours and 15 minutes, including an interval, and contains descriptions of sexual assault.
Event details
Venue: Pam Golding Theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre
Thursday 22 October: 19h00
Friday 23 October: 19h00
Saturday 24 October: 19h00
Sunday 25 October: 15h00
Tickets range from R210 to R550, with pensioner, student and under-18 rates available. Bookings are through Webtickets and The Baxter Box Office.
Pic Credit: Lerato Maduna
