Opera Australia and State Opera South Australia Unite for ‘Don Giovanni’
This special production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni is coming to the Barossa Valley next month.
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Regional fans of the opera are in for a treat this July when Opera Australia and State Opera South Australia present Michael Gow’s acclaimed production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in the Barossa Valley.
Taking place at the Barossa Arts Centre in Tanunda on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July, audiences will be delighted by one of Mozart’s greatest operas, which is part comedy, part thriller, part supernatural reckoning.
As the press release states, “Don Giovanni is a notorious libertine whose seductions, schemes and violent impulses finally catch up with him. The opera continues to captivate audiences with its timeless themes, powerful music and gripping drama.”
Conductor Simon Bruckard will lead an all-star cast that includes tenors Christian Haotian Qi and Andrew Williams, who share the role of Don Giovanni, alongside sopranos Celeste Lazarenko and Jessica Blunt as Donna Anna.
Tenors Kiran Rajasingam and Stephen Marsh play Leporello, Tomas Dalton and Shanul Sharma as Don Ottavio and sopranos Cathy-Di Zhang and Jane Magão as Zerlina, with the local children’s chorus from Faith Lutheran College also involved.
State Opera South Australia Executive Director Mark Taylor is excited for the return of Opera Australia’s national touring schedule, saying, “Opera Australia is bringing a major touring production back to South Australia with Barossa playing host to the opening of the Don Giovanni national tour.
“This milestone captures 30 years of Opera Australia’s National Touring program and State Opera’s Golden Jubilee Season. Securing this production is a significant moment for South Australia on the national stage.”
Opera Australia CEO Alex Budd adds, “As we celebrate 30 years of our national tour in its current format, we’re proud to continue delivering world-class opera to communities across the country. I’ve seen first-hand the delight and enjoyment this program brings to audiences nationwide, and that connection remains at the heart of why this tour matters.”
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It’s been three years since Don Giovanni last toured, with this new production combining the creative minds of director Michael Gow, set and costume designer Robert Kemp and lighting designer Matthew Scott, creating a dynamic take on the classic Mozart tale.
The National tour is supported by the Opera Conference, Australia’s national partnership of professional opera companies and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts investment and advisory body, by the NSW government through Create NSW and by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
State Opera South Australia will also bring the classic fairytales, Hansel and Gretel and Into the Woods to life in August as part of its 2026 Season.
Catch Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Barossa Arts Centre in Tanunda on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 July. Tickets on sale now via stateopera.com.au.
