Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni
Opera in two acts

Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte
Musical Director and Conductor Risto Joost
Director Elmo Nüganen
Conductors Aleksandr Brazhnyk, Mihhail Gerts
Scenographer and Videographer Katrīna Neiburga (Latvia)
Costume Designer Kristīne Pasternaka (Latvian National Opera)
Lighting Designer Kristjan Suits
Choreographer Rauno Zubko
Director’s Assistant Merle Jalakas

Cast Jānis Apeinis (Latvian National Opera) or Tamar Nugis (Estonian National Opera), Raiko Raalik (Estonian National Opera), Simo Breede or Taavi Tampuu, Märt Jakobson or Kristjan Häggblom, Juhan Tralla or Rasmus Kull or Hisatoshi Nezu, Karmen Puis, Pirjo Jonas, Maria Listra or Marta Paklar or Grete Oolberg, Kärt Kull
Vanemuine Opera Choir and Symphony Orchestra


Mozart composed the opera Don Giovanni based on Tirso de Molina’s play The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest published in 1630 and its key character Don Juan. Premiering in 1787 at the Prague National Theatre, the opera was received with ovation, but for the 18th century Viennese spectators, it remained somewhat of a mystery. However, only a few decades later, the composition already bore the title of one of the greatest operas in history.

The debauched ladies’ man Don Giovanni and his faithful servant Leporello have travelled across the world, leaving behind countless broken hearts. However, all women won’t put up with this and so, Donna Anna, Donna Elvira and Zerlina decide to reveal the true character of this vile man. Don Giovanni can enjoy his adventures while they last, eventually the trickster still has to bear his cross himself.

In this centuries old story, swords will be replaced by phones to make the ancient villain pay for his deeds once again.

Don Giovanni has been staged at the Vanemuine Theatre once before, in 1990. This production will be created by the renowned Estonian stage director Elmo Nüganen and it will be his first encounter with the Vanemuine Theatre, but not with Mozart. In 1994, he directed The Marriage of Figaro in collaboration with Pärnu Opera.

For the work as the Musical Director and Conductor of Don Giovanni, Risto Joost received the Estonian Theatre Award for Music in 2022.
For the role of Commendatore in Don Giovanni, Märt Jakobson received the Estonian Theatre Award for Music in 2022.

Premiere November 27th 2021 at the Small Building of the Vanemuine Theatre
Language: Italian
Surtitles: Estonian, English