Mozart’s Don Giovanni (A Pandemic-Nightmare Comedy)

The Taconic Opera’s summer singer training program, the NY Opera Conservatory, goes virtual with this production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni reimagined for the COVID age. And it’s free.

Faced with finding a way to prepare a summer opera subject to the rules of social distancing in the COVID age, TCO’s summer program had to rethink their entire operations in light of the restrictions imposed by the COVID pandemic. So all consuming were the changes of life during the Coronavirus that they decided to set the opera in the age of COVID, allowing the new realities of life to seep into the opera’s action and settings.

While the the magic of modern day technology empowered their rehearsals its idiosyncrasies began to infiltrate the production as well. Inevitably, the inherent comedic moments that arise from relying on the uncertainties of internet connections, cell phones and Zoom sessions to produce an opera took its toll on Mozart’s dark tragedy. The result of the process is a Don Giovanni throughly reimagined as a hilarious comedy taking place during a pandemic.

Funny moments with Snapchat, Tinder and The Food Network

Production glitches, similar to what we experience every day, are a major part of the charm and fun of the work. Every special effect offered by phones was used throughout the production, from Snapchat filters to tinder messaging. And as we have all grown closer with our Kitchen Aids during the pandemic, so too the cast – who turned the opera’s tenor aria “Il mio tesoro” into a home cooking show.

Don Giovanni (A Pandemic-Nightmare Comedy) was directed by Dan Montez, General and Artistic Director, Taconic Opera;  Director: NY Opera Conservatory. With pianist Kessa Medford.

Don Giovanni is available on YouTube to watch at your leisure and as often as you like: https://youtu.be/Mwa428_ZJpI

This production is offered FREE OF CHARGE to the public, however, any donation large or small will help to make up for some of the essential revenues lost as a result of the pandemic. Visit the Taconic Opera website to make a donation:  www.TaconicOpera.org

Cast (a combination of seasoned professionals and student singers)

(In order of appearance)

Samuel Flores—Leporello

Luke Scott—Don Giovanni

Ky Montez—Donna Anna

Dennis Fox—CommeNdatore

David Soto Zambrana—Don Ottavio

Deborah Connelly—Donna Elvira

Nadia Briones—Zerlina

Cade Montez—Masetto

Partially funded with a generous grant from Arts Westchester.