Mozart’s sublime tragic comedy Don Giovanni is widely regarded as the first Grand Opera ever performed in Philadelphia, debuting at The Chestnut Street Theater in 1818. This will be AVA’s seventh production of the opera since its AVA debut in 1986-87.
AVA first presented Don Giovanni in 1986-87 and continued with performances in 2000, 2005 and 2011 which featured many alumni who have gone on to significant professional careers.
Burak Bilgili, Latonia Moore and Othalie Graham performed in the 2000 production.
Mr. Bilgili debuted with The Metropolitan Opera in 2004, Ms. Moore in 2012 and Ms. Graham frequently performs the title role in Turandot and Aida internationally (most recently with the Nashville Opera in October, 2015).
The opera was again performed in 2005 with Ellie Dehn, Bryan Hymel and Michael Fabiano. Mr. Hymel and Mr. Fabiano have gone on to win the prestigious Tucker Award and have both made their debuts at The Metropolitan Opera in lead roles. Ms. Dehn also enjoys a successful international career and will reprise the role of Donna Anna with Opera Köln this season.
In 2011, Don Giovanni was performed with AVAlumni Michelle Johnson, Taylor Stayton, Chrystal E. Williams and Nicholas Masters. Both Ms. Johnson (Yardbird) and Mr. Stayton (Il barbiere di Siviglia) performed with Opera Philadelphia during their 2014-15 season and all four have sung in Opera Philadelphia productions. Mr. Stayton made his Metropolitan Opera debut earlier this season.
The 2015 cast includes 2014-2015 honorees from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (MONCA) as well as award-winners from the Gerda Lissner Foundation, Loren L. Zachary Competition and judges’ selections from AVA’s Giargiari Competition. MONCA Grand Finalist Jared Bybee is scheduled to sing the title role for select performances; Zachary Award Top Prize winner and 2014 Giargiari Bel Canto Competition First Prize winner André Courville will sing Leporello for select performances.
The production will also feature four first-year AVA Resident Artists: baritone Ethan Simpson as Don Giovanni; soprano Meryl Dominquez as Donna Anna; soprano JoAna Rusche as Donna Elvira; soprano Allegra De Vita as Zerlina; and baritone Anthony Whitson-Martini as Masetto.
