Radio Broadcast of Mozart's Don Giovanni


photo by Brett Coomer

Kwiecien
Martínez
Deshorties
Gradus
Murphy
Summers

“Kwiecien submerged himself in his character as few opera singers do. His writhing refusal to bend to the force of good and his descent into hell were electrifying.” —Houston Chronicle

“The women are all superb: Alexandra Deshorties as a powerhouse Donna Anna, Ana María Martínez as a hot-blooded Donna Elvira, Fiona Murphy as an unusually warm and sensible Zerlina.” —Dallas Morning News

November 13, 2010 at noon
WFMT or KUHF- 88.7FM


Sung in Italian. Dramma giocoso in two acts.
Music by W.A. Mozart, Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte

Looks can be deceiving, as many learn painfully from the charming and dubious Don Giovanni. Mariusz Kwiecien plays the legendary playboy, whose “little black book” holds thousands of names. Donna Elvira (Ana María Martínez), whom he abandoned three days after their hasty wedding, conspires with the scorned Donna Anna (Alexandra Deshorties) and her betrothed Don Ottavio (Garrett Sorenson) to bring the rake to justice. Oren Gradus plays the Don’s lackey Leporello; Fiona Murphy is the innocent Zerlina, whose wedding to Masetto (Ryan McKinny) is threatened by Giovanni’s charms; Raymond Aceto plays the omniscient Commendatore. Houston Grand Opera Music Director Patrick Summers conducts.

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Don Giovanni Synopsis


Cast
(in order of vocal appearance)

Oren Gradus**
Leporello

Alexandra Deshorties
Donna Anna

Mariusz Kwiecien*
Don Giovanni

Raymond Aceto
Commendatore

Garrett Sorenson*
Don Ottavio

Ana María Martínez**
Donna Elvira

Fiona Murphy **
Zerlina

Ryan McKinny**
Masetto

Creative Team

Houston Grand Opera
Orchestra and Chorus

Patrick Summers
Conductor

Göran Jarvefelt
Original Director

Harry Silverstein
Director

Carl Friedrich Oberle
Set and Costume Designer

Nigel Levings
Lighting Designer

E. Loren Meeker
Choreographer/Assistant Director

Richard Bado**
Chorus Master

* Houston Grand Opera debut
** Former HGO Studio Artist
Lohengrin       Don Giovanni       The Turn of the Screw       The Queen of Spades       Xerxes     Billy Budd