Don Giovanni (W.A. Mozart)

Set in 16th century Seville, Don Giovanni is Mozart’s retelling of an old Spanish legend about a libertine, but, as we’d expect, in Mozart’s hands, the tale is enriched with social comment, a cast of vivid characters, and earthy humour. Don Giovanni has clearly been a shameless and highly successful seducer but, by the time we meet him in the opera, his luck is running out and every new escapade propels him towards his deserved destruction.

Yuriy Yurchuk who made a stir as the Marquis of Posa in our production of Verdi’s Don Carlo last year, will sing Giovanni, a role he has just sung at Savonlinna. Denis Sedov, as the Commendatore, brings his wife, Alexandra Kovalevich, to sing Donna Elvira. Béatrice de Larragoȉti is Zerlina and Volodymyr Morozov returns to Bauge as Masetto. Don Ottavio is Pablo Bemsch, last year’s Don Carlo. James Roser, who starred as Dulcamara last year makes his role debut as Leporello (29 and 31 July) as does Gheorghe Palcu (3 August).

Thomas Payne, staff conductor at the Royal Opera House makes his Opera de Bauge debut as music director.