Don Giovanni!

The *Don* himself, in all his sunglassed, brocaded vest, leather-booted glory!

I haven't done an Opera post in a while.....(to the relief of some)...but I hope some of you miss them!  So....last night was the final performance of our wonderful, sexy 2011 production!  Of course, I was there....in fact, next to *Heart of a Soldier*, this opera has been my favourite of the season....I saw it five times!  But, last night was really memorable.

 *Donna Elvira*....the *Scorned* woman (one of many) who still loves Giovanni....but wants revenge!

*Leporello*, the Don's *faithful* (sometimes) servant...who both envies and despises his *Master*.  Here, he reveals to Donna Elvira the book Giovanni keeps to catalogue all of his conquests.....it opens up and is really L-O-N-G!

But back to backstage....  the previous night, I was working another (yawn) *Carmen*... and when I came into the Canteen after interviewing two potential new team members,  who was playing ping-pong - but the star of *Don Giovanni*, Lucas Meachem (he has the most luscious, velvet-smooth voice). He was there to see *Carmen*! I have been an admirer of his for five or so years, since he sang in *Die Tote Stadt*....my most beloved non-Wagnerian opera.  (I have a few video clips at the very end of my blog.  Lucas is in the scene, dressed as *Pierrot*, singing a most beautiful waltz.) Although dressed in jeans, t-shirt and tennies, he is still a sexy guy....and a flirtatious one.  While I was prepping the food for *Carmen*, we had a little chat....and I was able to (finally) tell him how much I adored his performance in *Die Tote Stadt*...he told me he had performed it in Europe a few times as well and also loved it....then, he told me he was returning to SF in the Autumn of 2012... but....he wouldn't tell me in which opera!  (The *Cad!) 

He did give me *clues*....

like:

1. He has the lead role (he is Baritone - and most operas have Tenors as the lead)

2. The Opera has a one-word title

I immediately guessed "Rigoletto".....but he wouldn't say....those blue eyes twinkled though....but I'll have to wait and see.

But, hey, that's not the end of the story...  last night - at the final *Don*,
I came in and there was Lucas - playing ping-pong 90 minutes before the curtain went up! I said: "So, this is how you get into character"!  He laughed and said, "Absolutely"!  I wished him a "Toi, toi, toi for the final night".  After the second intermission, when the *Don* is not on stage....imagine my surprise when he came backstage (in costume and makeup) to play another round with some of the backstage crew...  he then came over and gave me a big hug (he is 6'4"...) and thanked me for all the delicious food!  I said, "Now you are ready to descend into *Hell*....(which is what happens at the end of the opera)...and he gave me a *wicked* laugh as he walked out and onto the stage!  It was a wonderful *Opera Moment* for me....particularly as earlier in the day, I was at a Memorial Service for a dear friend...and was emotionally spent....being hugged by *Giovanni* was just what I needed!

Here is a brief clip of some of our *Don Giovanni* for you to sample.  (Lo, sorry, all of the 3 woman lead ARE Sopranos! A-ha-ha!)

 *The Don* and our wonderful Supers!

 Our WONDERFUL Maestro and the Supers!

The Supers *react* to the Statue of the Commendatore!  *He drags the unrepetent Don down to Hell!* Bwaaa...haaaa...ha...

I hope you enjoy it!  It's glorious Mozart Music and really well sung by a vibrant, young cast!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥