He’s the Guy You Hate to Love: Livermore Valley Opera’s “Don Giovanni” Gives Classic Mozart Opera a Contemporary Don Juan

Livermore Valley Opera

This October, with the opening of the 19th season of the Livermore Valley Opera (LVO), audiences of the growing regional opera company will have the opportunity to experience a contemporary interpretation of the classic Mozart opera, Don Giovanni, as realized by noted Stage Director Mark Streshinsky, recently named Artistic Director of Berkeley West Edge Opera. Performance details are as follows:

Opera Weekends
• Saturday Opening Night Gala: October 2. Gala 5:00pm (separate ticket). Pre-opera talk 7:00 pm. Curtain 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 3, 2:00pm Matinee and Ice Cream & Opera – Children’s Opera Learning Adventure
• Saturday October 9, 8:00pm
• Sunday October 10, 2:00pm Matinee and Ice Cream & Opera – Children’s Opera Learning Adventure

Streshinsky has directed five productions for Berkeley West Edge Opera, most recently the roots of this production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni which he now will expand for LVO.

"The production for Livermore Valley Opera will be even more realized in creating an environment to set this masterwork," said Streshinsky. “LVO has resources in place that Berkeley West Edge Opera is only beginning to acquire. This opera company has established scenic and costume artists and a dedicated budget to support a full production.”

LVO’s Executive Director Sara Nealy explains why the opera company is venturing into new territory with Streshinsky’s production. "It's important for LVO to stretch creatively and to expose our audiences to diverse artistic visions. We believe that a contemporary interpretation of Don Giovanni will help to engage new and younger audiences by making connections with them that are relevant. "

“For anyone concerned about how true to Mozart’s original this contemporary interpretation will be,” adds Nealy, “San Francisco Classical Voice stated, ‘...the marvelous music, his [Mozart's] wit, and his basic humanity are scrupulously preserved in this performance.’ The Contra Costa Times review of Streshinsky’s Don Giovanni said, ‘The production's utter faithfulness to the music, coupled with a dazzling creativity in interpreting the psychology and spirit of the opera, merit high praise.’”

YouTube Interview with the Director
Streshinsky talks in depth about his vision of this unique production in LVO’s YouTube interview with the Don Giovanni director. View the video on LVO’s website at www.livermorevalleyopera.org.

Artistic Talents
Don Giovanni will reunite the experienced opera trio of Streshinsky, LVO Music Director and Conductor, Alexander Katsman, and formidable rising star, baritone Eugene Brancoveanu, as the legendary ladies’ man Don Giovanni (Don Juan), who is also known to LVO audiences as Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro (March, 2009) and who the San Francisco Chronicle calls "extravagantly gifted." Brancoveanu has sung at San Francisco Opera, the New York City Opera and won a Tony Award in La Boheme on Broadway. Earlier this year, this trio worked together for Berkeley West Edge Opera’s Don Giovanni.

“Working together is like being with family,” says Katsman. “You know what makes them click and how to draw out their most creative energy. This gives us the opportunity to find new colors and facets to the ideas that began in the first production.”

Among the many talented opera singers that will perform is soprano Marie Plette, who portrays one of Don Juan’s many conquests. Plette sang the same role in the Metropolitan Opera production of Don Giovanni.

Most of the lead singers come from the greater Bay Area. More information about the artists can be found on the LVO website at www.livermorevalleyopera.org.

Special Events

Opening Night Gala, October 2
The opening night gala festivities are open to the public. The Gala begins at 5:00 p.m. with appetizers and wine. Mark Streshinsky and Alexander Katsman will be on hand to meet with patrons and answer questions. The Gala is a separately ticketed event for $55. Tickets are available from the Bankhead Theater Ticket Office.

Ice Cream & Opera – Children’s Opera Learning Adventure, October 3 and 10
Sunday matinees of Livermore Valley Opera productions offer a fun, interactive way to introduce young people to opera –and even includes ice cream. After the show, children will have an opportunity to go on stage and experience what a performer sees while on stage, meet the director and cast members. To learn more, visit LVO’s website at http://www.livermorevalleyopera.org/seasons/2010/ice_cream/index.php.

Pre-opera talk and receptions
Included in the ticket price is a pre-opera talk one hour prior to curtain. A traditional artist’s reception is held in the lobby immediately following each performance. Some performances will feature a public “after party” at a nearby location with complimentary appetizers and a chance to meet the cast and crew.

Performance & Box Office Location:
Bankhead Theater
2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550
Bankhead Ticket Office: 925-373-6800
www.livermoreperformingarts.org

Ticket Pricing
Adults $39-$64. Students 18 years and younger $10 off on all days, all seating sections. Student ID required.

About LVO
Livermore Valley Opera was founded in 1992, and presents fully-staged operas at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater in the spring and fall. This new theater features excellent lines of sight and acoustics, helping the opera to attract talented singers and stage directors for their performances.
We combine the talents of professional musicians, stage directors, principal singers, and designers with the dedication and practical abilities of volunteers filling such critical roles as board members, chorus, stage crew, and set builders to reach our artistic goals.
Livermore Valley Opera is a community-based 501(c) 3 non-profit charitable arts organization. For more information, visit www.livermorevalleyopera.org.