MOZART’S MASTERPIECE “DON GIOVANNI” OPENS FLORIDA GRAND OPERA’S 79TH SEASON

Morris Robinson & David Pittsinger in FGO Don Giovanni - Photo Gaston de Cardenas
Morris Robinson & David Pittsinger in FGO Don Giovanni – Photo Gaston de Cardenas

Starring Grammy Award—winner Elliot Madore as Don Giovanni

Featuring Cuban-American soprano Elizabeth Caballero, named one of Miami’s “Most Influential People” by Miami New Times

Featuring internationally acclaimed opera singer Kevin Langan

Company debut of soprano Elizabeth de Trejo and bass-baritone Federico De Michelis

Florida Grand Opera (@FGOpera) presents Mozart’s timeless drama Don Giovanni as the opening production of the company’s 79th season, sung in Italian, with English and Spanish projected translations above the stage. Mozart’s Don Giovanni is scheduled for 4 performances at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami on November 16, 19, 21, and 24, 2019; and 2 performances at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale on December 5 and 7, 2019.

All six (6) performances will feature Canadian baritone Elliot Madore in his anticipated return to FGO as Don Giovanni and Argentinian bass-baritone Federico De Michelis as his sidekick Leporello in his FGO debut, plus soprano Elizabeth de Trejo as Donna Anna in her FGO debut, soprano Elizabeth Caballero as Donna Elivra, and bass Kevin Langanas the Commendatore. Rafael Porto will join the cast as Leporello for both Broward performances. Also, notable FGO debuts from the company’s emerging artists in residency program are tenor Nicholas Huff as Don Ottavio, soprano Asleif Willmer as Zerlina, and baritone Michael Miller as Masetto.

TICKETS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Tickets are currently on sale, starting at $15 in Miami and $21 in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets can be purchased online at www.FGO.org or by calling the FGO Box Office, Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm, at 1-800-741-1010. Tickets may also be purchased at the affiliated box offices, at the Arsht Center and Broward Center websites, and by phone. Special rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 305.403.3319 or visiting www.FGO.org/groups

ABOUT THE OPERA:

Mozart’s two-act opera traces the storied tale of the merciless seducer Don Juan in what has become one of the most globally performed and timeless morality tales in operatic history. Comedy and tragedy intermingle in ways only supernatural forces can address in the narrative of the legendary Spanish nobleman’s compulsive and destructive amorous conquests, leaving his ultimate fate in the hands of demons from the underworld as it reminds audiences that even those most powerful cannot avoid the consequences of their actions.

DON GIOVANNI ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT:

The New York Times praises baritone and Grammy Award—winner Elliot Madore for his “movie star quality” and “exceptional” artistry. Elliot is a Canadian former hockey player who now sings opera in leading roles for the world’s major opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Sydney Opera House. He made his FGO debut as Cuban poet, novelist, and playwright Reinaldo Arenas in Jorge Martin’s Before Night Falls (2017). Elliot Madore reprises his role of Don Giovanni, which has earned him international acclaim at the Glyndebourne Opera Festival in the UK.

Cuban-American soprano Elizabeth Caballero, named one of Miami’s “Most Influential People” by Miami New Times, returns to FGO as Donna Elvira. She has been seen in FGO’s productions of Carmen (2000), La bohème (2003, 2008, 2018), The Marriage of Figaro (2009), Turandot (2010), La rondine (2011), and Before Night Falls (2017). Elizabeth is no stranger to Miami; she is a graduate of the Florida Grand Opera Studio Artist program, inducted in the Miami-Dade College Hall of Fame, and awarded Distinguished Alumni from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Her career has taken her across North and South America and Europe; and she appeared as a judge on Univision’s Sabado Gigantefor an American Idol-style voice competition for aspiring singers. Elizabeth Caballero assumes the role of Donna Elvira, previously performed at Seattle Opera, where she received “Glowing” and “Dashing” reviews by The Seattle Times.

Kevin Langan has earned a sterling reputation as a leading performer in opera with international audiences. The New York Times praised his; “deep, toffee-smooth voice and convincing interpretive abilities,” which have made him a favorite in opera companies around the world. His career currently spans 40 years and over 1,400 performances covering a vast repertoire of over 80 roles. His role of Commendatore at FGO is his twelfth appearance at Florida Grand Opera since his company debut in 1988.

Soprano Elizabeth de Trejo, “rapidly building a leading presence in the opera industry” according to Opera News, will make her FGO debut as Donna Anna, a role previously undertaken with Toledo Opera. She has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia both in opera and as a soloist in symphonic concerts.

Argentinian bass-baritone Federico De Michelis, praised by Opera News as, “singing with a deep-voiced authority” will make his FGO and role debut as Leporello. This season he reprised the role of Colline with Seattle Opera, a role previously performed for Houston Grand Opera.

The opera is conducted by Maestro Christopher Allen, featured in Opera News as “one of the fastest-rising podium stars in North America,” who previously conducted Before Night Falls at FGO in 2017.

All four productions of the 2019/20 season features female stage directors. Making her directing debut at FGO is Mo Zhou (MO-JOE), originally from China, based in New York City. Later this season she will return to China to revive her acclaimed production of The Diaries of John Rabe at the Jiangsu Center of Performing Arts, where it will be made into a movie, and then tour her live production at Lincoln Center in New York City and Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Spread the love!