The legendary lover is here to sweep you away!

The eternal conqueror of women’s hearts is coming to the stage this Valentine’s Day with the production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s  Don Giovanni, the Spanish legend of Don Juan, the world’s most notorious womanizer.  The production stars the commanding baritone Christopher Feigum as the Don, and the internationally recognized American soprano Pamela Armstrong, as Donna Anna, both returning to the Tulsa stage.

Performances of Don Giovanni will be held in the Chapman Music Hall of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 19, and Friday February 25, at 7:30 p.m. and a matinée on Sunday, February 27 at 2:30 p.m.  In addition, a student matinée has been added on February 22 at 10:00 a.m. The opera will be performed in the original Italian with English language supertitles projected above the stage at every performance.

Don Giovanni is the second of the three great operas Mozart wrote in collaboration with librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, with its first premiere at the Prague Opera in 1787.  The opera is the most famous telling of the story of Don Juan. Set in the 17^th century, the opera, which was subtitled “dramma giocoso”, meaning “playful drama” masterfully combines uproarious comedy with moments of genuine tragedy. It is host to some of Mozart’s most genius melodies: the famous duet “Là ci darem la mano” and Don Giovanni’s heart-melting serenade, “Deh vieni alla finestra”.

Don Giovanni is the consummate philanderer, but after several attempted seductions go awry, he becomes the target of three vengeful women who are determined to see him pay for his womanizing ways. An insolent invitation and a supernatural intervention seal his fate.

After memorable performances as Belcore and Figaro in Tulsa Opera’s productions of Elixir of Love (2008) and The Marriage of Figaro (2006), Christopher Feigum returns to Tulsa to lend his powerful and seductive baritone in a long-anticipated role debut.  Feigum has been widely acclaimed for his performances of leading roles at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera and Opera Theater of St. Louis.

One of Tulsa’s favorite American sopranos, Pamela Armstrong, is returning to play one of her signature roles, Donna Anna.  Armstrong and her commanding voice are recognized internationally; she is known for her portrayals as the Countess in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata, and Magda in Puccini’s La Rondine.

Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Holloway, last seen in Tulsa as Mercedes in the 2007 production of Carmen, makes her own role debut as the vengeful Donna Elvira.  After her triumphant debut as The Prince Charming in Santa Fe Opera’s 2006 production of Massenet’s Cendrillon, Holloway was launched into an international career, including appearances at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Teatro Real in Madrid, Glydebourne Festival in England, as well as the Dallas Opera and Los Angeles Opera in the U.S.

Making his Tulsa Opera debut as Leporello, the Don’s comically disgruntled servant is bass- baritone Wayne Tigges. Lauded by the Chicago Sun-Times for his “rich, dark tone and beautiful legato,” Tigges regularly appears with such companies as the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera, Los Angeles Opera and Opéra National de Paris, and was heard in Tulsa in March 2009 as the bass soloist in the Verdi Requiem with the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus.

Stage Director Kristine McIntyre works extensively in opera, theater, and ballet. She is the founder and artistic director of Everyman, a San Francisco theater company, and has directed numerous performances throughout the United States in locations including Dallas, Pittsburgh and New York. McIntryre most recently directed Rigoletto for Tulsa Opera’s 2009/10 season. In addition to directing the production, McIntyre has also created the production concept , which is designed by Tulsa Opera’s own Director of Production, Noah Spiegel.  Don Giovanni will be conducted by Kostis Protopapas.

Duet mini-subscriptions (two operas of the patron’s choice, starting at $50) and single tickets (starting at $10) are on sale now through the Tulsa Opera box office by calling (918) 587-4811 or visiting www.tulsaopera.com.  Mini-season subscriptions allow patrons the added benefits of first choice seating, hassle-free ticket exchange at no charge, a season highlights CD narrated by Tulsa Opera Artistic Director Kostis Protopapas and pre-performance insights – an opportunity to learn more about each opera performed. 

Tulsa Opera reexamines Mozart’s monumental dark comedy – Don Giovanni- the legend of Don Juan, the world’s most notorious womanizer on February 19, 25 and 27, 2011.

Cast

Don Giovanni                                             Christopher Feigum

Donna Anna                                               Pamela Armstrong

Donna Elvira                                               Jennifer Holloway

Don Ottavio                                               Vale Rideout

Leporello                                                    Wayne Tigges*

Zerlina                                                       Joanna Ruszala

Masetto                                                      Jesse Enderle

Commendatore                                          John Ames

CREATIVE TEAM

Conductor                                                 Kostis Protopapas

Director                                                     Kristine McIntyre

Original Costume Designer                         John Lehmeyer

Lighting Designer                                        Helena Kuukka

Wig and Makeup Designer                          Ruth Mitchell

Chorusmaster                                            Kostis Protopapas

Musical Preparation                                    Mark Armstrong

Costume Coordinator                                Deb Smith

Production Stage Manager                          Rachel L. Ginzberg

Supertitles                                                  Mark Armstrong

*Denotes Tulsa Opera debut