The opera of operas ?

Don Giovanni was commissioned by the Prague Opera immediately after the success of The Marriage of Figaro: Mozart and Da Ponte sought to build on their fame, choosing a subject that had triumphed in Venice only a few weeks earlier, Don Giovanni by Giuseppe Gazzaniga. Returning to the theme of the Seville Trickster, already widely present in theatre since the mid-17th century and notably embodied by Molière, as well as in Gluck’s ballet in Vienna in 1761, Da Ponte focused the work on Don Juan’s libertine character, likely drawing inspiration from his friend Casanova (who is said to have helped revise Act II, Scene 9, and was present at the Prague premiere…). The result is dazzling, never giving the audience a moment’s respite between murder, seduction, cunning and supernatural appearances: this is grand spectacle showing the musical influence of Gluck at his finest, with an unprecedented urgency and violence for an opera buffa, supported by extraordinary music, an absolute masterpiece that received an exceptional triumph in Prague. The work soon spread everywhere, and the striking final scene in which Don Giovanni refuses to repent and is dragged down to Hell remains one of the most powerful moments in operatic art.

Marshall Pynkoski sweeps the characters into a dramatic whirlwind dressed in Christian Lacroix’s imaginative designs: Anas Séguin finally takes on the role of Don Giovanni; and Gaétan Jarry makes the Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal shine.

Royal Opera Production / Château de Versailles Spectacles / Les Productions de l’Opéra Royal.

The Centre de musique baroque de Versailles provides its set collection designed by Antoine Fontaine.

Costumes were created by Atelier Caraco – Paris.

Sets were built by Jipanco & Cie and Arthur Lamon.

Revival

Drama giocoso in two acts, with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte after Giovanni Bertati, premiered in Prague in 1787.

Show in Italian, with surtitles in French and English.

First part : 1h30

Intermission

Second part : 1h20

PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY : Best seats in house, you will receive a complimentary programme and a glass of champagne.

PRESTIGE CATEGORY : Excellent seats, you will receive a complimentary programme and a glass of champagne.

CORPORATE GROUP RATE : for more information, please refer to our page dedicated to works councils and groups.

REDUCED GROUP RATE : available for groups of more than 10 people, excluding corporate offers.

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