Don Giovanni Is the Feb. 16, 2019, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast

Summary: Don Giovanni is the Feb. 16, 2019, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, numbering 12th of 24 in the 2018-2019 season’s schedule.

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season’s performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni revives British theatre director Michael Grandage’s staging, which debuted as a new production Oct. 13, 2011: The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Feb. 15, 2018

Mozart’s Don Giovanni is the Feb. 16, 2019, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast, airing as the 12th of 24 scheduled Saturday matinee radio broadcasts during the 2018-2019 Met Opera season.

Classical Era composer Wolfgang Mozart (Jan. 27, 1756-Dec. 5, 1791) set his musical score for Don Giovanni to an Italian libretto by Italian opera librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte (March 10, 1749-Aug. 17, 1838). Da Ponte wrote the libretti for three of Mozart’s most acclaimed operas: Le Nozze di Figaro (1786), Don Giovanni (1787) and Così fan tutte (1790). Da Ponte was born in Ceneda (now Vittorio Veneto) in the Republic of Venice in 1749. Debt-induced peregrinations ultimately ended with his settling in the United States, where he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1828.

Legends of Don Juan, a fictional libertine, inspired Mozart’s music and Da Ponte’s libretto. Tirso de Molina, pseudonym of Spanish Baroque dramatist Gabriel Téllez (March 24, 1579-March 12, 1648) is credited with the first written version of the serial seducer’s legend. Set in the fourteenth century, El Burlador de Sevilla y Convidado de Piedra (The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest) was published by 1630 in Spain. Performances of the three-act play may have occurred as early as 1616.

Mozart’s opera premiered Oct. 29, 1787, under its full title, Il Dissoluto Punito Ossia il Don Giovanni (The Rake Punished, or Don Giovanni). The world premiere took place at Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo) in Prague, Czech Republic (then named Kingdom of Bohemia). The baroque-styled theatre is sited on Železná in Prague’s Staré Město (Old Town).

Don Giovanni’s Metropolitan Opera premiere happened Nov. 28, 1883. Twelve performances were offered during the 1883-1884 Met Opera season. Austrian operatic baritone Giuseppe Kaschmann (July 14, 1850-Feb. 11, 1925) sang the title role.

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season offers 12 performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Opening night took place Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Six additional winter performances are scheduled, all in February. The month’s performances began Saturday, Feb. 2, at 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m. Same-week performances take place Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday matinee broadcast, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. The month’s sixth performance happens Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

Five spring performances, all in April, are offered. The month’s performances are scheduled for Thursday, April 4, at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time; Tuesday, April 9, at 8 p.m.; Friday, April 12, at 8 p.m.; Monday, April 15, at 8 p.m.; and closing night, Thursday, April 18, at 8 p.m.

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season’s Don Giovanni has an estimated run time of 3 hours 25 minutes. Act I spans 92 minutes. An intermission of 30 minutes follows. Act II is estimated at 83 minutes.

Cornelius Meister conducts all 12 performances. The German conductor and pianist’s conductorship of Don Giovanni marks his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Rachel Willis-Sørensen appears in the season’s first six performances (Jan. 30; Feb. 2, 6, 9, 13; Saturday matinee broadcast Feb. 16) as Donna Anna, whose grief over her father’s murder is avenged by Don Giovanni’s descent into hell. The American operatic soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Dec. 4, 2014, as Countess Almaviva in the opera house’s 469th performance of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.

Jennifer Check appears Wednesday, Feb. 20, as Donna Anna. The American soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Oct. 11, 2001, as Clotilde in the opera house’s 133rd performance of Norma by Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini (Nov. 3, 1801-Sept. 23, 1835). In the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Jennifer Check also performs as Elena in Mefistofele by Italian composer and librettist Arrigo Boito (Feb. 24, 1842-June 10, 1918).

Guanqun Yu appears in all five spring performances as Donna Anna. The Chinese soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Sept. 29, 2012, as Leonora in the opera house’s 626th performance of Il Trovatore by 19th century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901). During the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Guanqun Yu also performs as Micaëla in Carmen by French Romantic Era composer Georges Bizet (Oct. 25, 1838-June 3, 1875).

Federica Lombardi appears in all winter performances as Donna Elvira, whose vengeful thoughts toward Don Giovanni turn into pity. The Italian soprano makes her Metropolitan Opera debut with her performances as Donna Elvira.

Susanna Phillips appears in all spring performances as Donna Elvira. The American lyric soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Dec. 15, 2008, as Musetta in the opera house’s 1,201st performance of La Bohème by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924). In the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Susanna Phillips appears as Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen and reprises her Met Opera debut role as Puccini’s Musetta.

Aida Garifullina appears in winter’s first six performances (Jan. 30; Feb. 2, 6, 9, 13; Saturday matinee broadcast Feb. 16) as Zerlina, whose wedding celebration with Masetto is interrupted by Don Giovanni’s seduction schemes. The Tartarian Russian operatic soprano makes her Metropolitan Opera debut with her performances as Zerlina.

Aida Garifullina shares the winter role with Rihab Chaieb, who appears as Zerlina in the Wednesday, Feb. 20, performance. The Canadian-Tunisian mezzo-soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Oct. 4, 2016, as Zulma in the opera house’s 72nd performance of L’Italiana in Algeri by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (Feb. 29, 1792-Nov. 13, 1868).

Serena Malfi appears in all five spring performances as Zerlina. The Italian mezzo-soprano’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Dec. 4, 2014, as Cherubino in the opera house’s 469th performance of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.

Stanislas de Barbeyrac appears in all seven winter performances as Don Ottavio, whose wedding to Donna Anna has been delayed by mourning for Donna Anna’s murdered father. The French operatic tenor makes his Metropolitan Opera debut with the role of Donna Anna’s fiancé.

Pavol Breslik appears in spring’s first three performances (April 4, 9, 12) as Don Ottavio. The Slovakian tenor’s appearances as Mozart’s Don Ottavio mark his Metropolitan Opera debut.

Paul Appleby appears as Don Ottavio in the spring’s last two performances, Monday, April 15, and closing night, Thursday, April 18. The American operatic tenor’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened May 7, 2011, as Brighella in the opera house’s 89th performance of Ariadne auf Naxos by German late Romantic and early modern composer Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864-Sept. 8, 1949). During the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Paul Appleby also sings the title male role in Pelléas et Mélisande by French Impressionist composer Achille-Claude Debussy (Aug. 22, 1862-March 25, 1918).

(Per The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera via Twitter April 12, 2019, Paul Appleby sings Don Ottavio for the Friday, April 12, performance. He replaces Pavol Breslik, who is ill, in the Slovakian tenor's third performance.)

Luca Pisaroni appears in the title role for all seven winter performances. The Italian operatic bass-baritone’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened April 29, 2005, as Publio in the opera house’s 31st performance Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito.

Peter Mattei sings the title role for all five spring performances. The Swedish operatic baritone’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Jan. 24, 2002, as Count Almaviva in the opera house’s 392nd performance of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.

Ildar Abdrazakov appears in all seven winter performances as Leporello, Don Giovanni’s servant, who tires of his master’s schemes. The Russian bass-baritone’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened March 1, 2004, as Masetto in the Metropolitan Opera’s 476th performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni.

Adam Plachetka appears in all five spring performances as Leporello. The Czech bass-baritone’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Feb. 4, 2015, as Masetto in the Metropolitan Opera’s 539rd performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Brandon Cedel appears in winter’s first six performances (Jan. 30; Feb. 2, 6, 9, 13; Saturday matinee broadcast Feb. 16) as Masetto, whose wedding festivities are interrupted by Don Giovanni’s schemes. The American bass-baritone’s Metropolitan Opera debut happened Nov. 7, 2013, as a Watchman in the opera house’s 60th performance of Die Frau Ohne Schatten by German late Romantic and early modern composer Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864-Sept. 8, 1949).

Peixin Chen appears as Masetto in the opera’s last winter performance, Wednesday, Feb. 20. The Chinese bass made his Metropolitan Opera debut Jan. 3, 2019, as Sarastro in the opera house’s English-language, family-friendly, holiday version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Kihwan Sim appears in all five spring performances as Masetto. The South Korean bass made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Colline in the opera house’s 1,281st performance of Puccini’s La Bohème.

Štefan Kocán appears in all seven winter performances as the Commendatore, Donna Anna’s murdered father, who exacts fatal revenge upon Don Giovanni. The Slovakian bass made his Metropolitan Opera debut Oct. 2, 2009, as the King in the opera house’s 1,104th performance of Verdi’s Aida. In the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Štefan Kocán also performs as Ramfis in Verdi’s Aida and as Sparafucile in Verdi’s Rigoletto.

Dmitry Belosselskiy appears in all five spring performances as the Commendatore. The Ukrainian bass made his Metropolitan Opera debut Nov. 5, 2011, as Zaccaria in the Metropolitan Opera’s 54th performance of Verdi’s Nabucco. During the 2018-2019 Met Opera season, Dmitry Belosselskiy also appears as The Old Hebrew in Samson et Dalila by French Romantic Era composer Camille Saint-Saëns (Oct. 9, 1835-Dec. 16, 1921); as Ramfis in Verdi’s Aida; and as Fafner in Das Rheingold by German composer and librettist Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813-Feb. 13, 1883).

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season’s performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni revive Michael Grandage’s staging. The British theatre director’s staging debuted Oct. 13, 2011, in the opera house’s 515th performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Michael Grandage’s production team comprises Christopher Oram, set and costume designer; Paule Constable, lighting director; and Ben Wright, choreographer. Louisa Muller is the production’s revival stage director.

The takeaway for Mozart’s Don Giovanni as the Feb. 16, 2019, Met Opera Saturday matinee broadcast is that Mozart’s comic, melodramatic, supernatural opera airs as the 12th of the 2018-2019 Met Opera season’s 24 scheduled Saturday matinee radio broadcasts.

The world premiere of Don Giovanni took place Oct. 29, 1787, in Prague, Czech Republic (then Kingdom of Bohemia), and featured Italian operatic baritone Luigi Bassi (Sept. 5, 1766-Sept. 13, 1825) in the title role and the opera’s composer, Wolfgang Mozart, as conductor; Luigi Bassi as Don Giovanni by German engraver Medardus Thoenert (Aug. 17, 1754-March 21, 1814): Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

The 2018-2019 Met Opera season’s performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni revives British theatre director Michael Grandage’s staging, which debuted as a new production Oct. 13, 2011: The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera, via Facebook Feb. 15, 2018, @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10160137121200533/

The world premiere of Don Giovanni took place Oct. 29, 1787, in Prague, Czech Republic (then Kingdom of Bohemia), and featured Italian operatic baritone Luigi Bassi (Sept. 5, 1766-Sept. 13, 1825) in the title role and the opera’s composer, Wolfgang Mozart, as conductor; Luigi Bassi as Don Giovanni by German engraver Medardus Thoenert (Aug. 17, 1754-March 21, 1814): Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Luigi_Bassi480.jpg

For further information:

“Debut: Dmitry Belosselskiy.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 354136 Nabucco {54} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/05/2011.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=354136

“Debut: Guanqun Yu.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 354555 Il Trovatore {626} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/29/2018.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=354555

“Debut: Jennifer Check.” MetOpera Database [Met Performance] CID: 350054 New Production Norma {133} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/11/2001.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350054

“Debut: Rachel Willis-Sorensen, Serena Malfi.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355667 Le Nozze di Figaro {469} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/04/2014.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355667

“Debut: Susanna Phillips.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 352749 La Bohème {1201} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/15/2008.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=352749

“Debuts: Alexei Ratmansky, Stefan Kocán, Adam Laurence Herskowitz.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 353094 Aida {1104} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/02/2009.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=353094

“Debuts: Anne Schwanewilms . . . Brandon Cedel . . .” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355114 Die Frau ohne Schatten {60} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/07/2013.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355114

“Debuts: Dmitry Korchak, Adam Plachetka.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355791 Don Giovanni {539} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/04/2015.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355791

"Debuts: Ildar Abdrazakov . . ." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 350919 New Production Don Giovanni {476} Metropolitan Opera House: 03/01/2004.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350919

“Debuts: Maria Agresta, Kihwan Sim.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 356237 La Bohème {1281} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/06/2016.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=356237

“Debuts: Paul Appleby, Noah Baetge.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 353993 Ariadne auf Naxos {89} Matinee ed. Metropolitan Opera House: 05/07/2011.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=353993

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=350065

“Debuts: Sarah Connolly, Luca Pisaroni.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 351250 La Clemenza di Tito {31} Metropolitan Opera House: 04/29/2005.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=351250

Marriner, Derdriu. “Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle Are the Feb. 9, 2019, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast.” Earth and Space News. Monday, Feb. 9, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/iolanta-and-bluebeards-castle-are-feb-9.html

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. “Baritone Peter Mattei and bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni star as opera’s most notorious seducer in Mozart’s masterpiece of dark comedy. Cornelius Meister makes his Met debut conducting. Opens January 30. Learn more: bit.ly/2CqbTGU Photo by Marty Sohl/Met Opera” Facebook. Feb. 15, 2018.
Available @ https://www.facebook.com/MetOpera/photos/a.134969600532/10160137121200533/

The Metropolitan Opera @MetOpera. "Metropolitan Opera ‏@MetOpera. "Paul Appleby will sing the role of Don Ottavio in this evening's performance of Don Giovanni, replacing Pavol Breslik, who is ill. #CastChange." Twitter. April 12, 2019.
Available @ https://twitter.com/MetOpera/status/1116801756493754368

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Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=354085