Sexy New Met Production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni is “Live in HD” at The Ridgefield Playhouse

               For anyone who thinks opera is stuffy or not seductive enough, think again.  There’s a sexy new production of the classic Mozart opera Don Giovanni by famed theater director Michael Grandage. It will be presented Live in HD from The Metropolitan Opera at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, October 29, at 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.  Charismatic young baritone Mariusz Kwiecien sings the role of Don Giovanni (Don Juan), arguably literature’s greatest, most prolific lover, for the first time at the Met. An injury during the dress rehearsal for this production nearly cost Kwiecien the chance at this legendary role. But following emergency back surgery, he will return to the production which was filmed for the Live in HD series. The Met: Live in HD series is underwritten by Barker Welfare Foundation, Lori and John Berisford, Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nick Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, IBM, Madeline and Fritz Jelinek, Valerie and Greg Jensen, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Aline Lawrence, Joanne and John Patrick, Patricia and Stephen Ross, Daniela Sikora and Keitha Kinne, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Mike Taylor and Steve Zemo. 

                A talented cast of international stars sings the opera’s eight leading roles:  Italian opera stars Barbara Frittoli as Donna Elvira and Luca Pisaroni as Leporello, Marina Rebeka as Donna Anna and Mojca Erdmann as Zerlina.  Maestro Fabio Luisi, recently elevated to Principal Conductor of the Met, leads his first Live in HD transmission. In addition to conducting the opera, he will play the recitatives on a harpsichord in the orchestra pit.

               Don Giovanni contains many of Mozart’s greatest arias and duets, including “La ci darem la mano”, “Madamina, il catalogo è questa”, “Fin ch'han dal vino”, “Non mi dir” and “Mi tradi quell’alma ingrata”.

               This mesmerizing Mozart event is the second in The Met Live in HD series, so season tickets still offer value. For tickets, purchase all 11 operas as a series for $198 ($18 per opera) or buy single tickets at $25 for adults and $20 for members, seniors and students only available by calling the box office. Call the box office at (203) 438-5795 for more information.  The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main St., Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.