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Culture vultures can enjoy a full operatic experience for the first time when local and internationally-renowned vocalists and musicians join together for a musical extravaganza.
A rendition of Mozart's Don Giovanni, considered by many as on of the finest operas ever written, promises two nights of spirit-lifting interactive performances alongside an array of stunning costumes.
Producer and director of the show, Oliver Alexandre, said: "Opera 'buffs' know their stuff and will tolerate nothing less than a faithful rendition of the master's intentions, preferably with a little special something.
"We will be giving them just that, with acclaimed professional singers from the UK circuit coming to join a chorus of able and enthusiastic singers and an orchestra of the best from around the Gulf.
"The singers will not be glued to the stage but will move around the audience in a choreography that can mean flirting with the ladies, teasing the youngsters or smashing a glass against the wall as the Don makes a hasty retreat at the end of Act 1 ... not just to be clever or different but to let Da Ponte's tale and most of all, Mozart's music, lift the audience out of their seats.
"Don Giovanni has thrilled audiences from Vienna to Paris to London ever since its premiere, and so the opportunity of presenting it in the Middle East is very special. Da Ponte's libretto is a joy and it goes without saying that Mozart does it proud.
"With not less than seven well-established professionals on the English circuit - from the US, Spain, Greece and Australia, as well as the UK, our audience will get an opportunity to hear and enjoy Covent Garden talent for a fraction of the price"
The international cast includes London-based award-winning Greek-Cypriot soprano Katerina Min‡ as Donna Elvira; baritone Marc Callahan as Don Giovanni and baritone Jonathan Sells as Leporello, award winning Australian soprano Amanda Forbes as Donna Anna, Spanish bass Francisco Javier Borda as Masetto and Emily-Jane Thomas, Zerlina. Don Ottavio is sung by tenor Robert Millner, a seasoned operatic soloist who has performed around the world and who teaches at the Sar Music Center.
Guest conductor for the evening will be Orlando Jopling, who has recently conducted the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, with Katerina Min‡, the London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva and the Schšnbrunn Orchestra, in Vienna.
David Hlawiczka will lead the Bahrain Symphonia orchestra made up entirely of residents and nationals of Bahrain and its neighbouring states.
The opera will be staged at the Crowne Plaza's Conference Centre in Bahrain on January 27 and 28 at 8pm. Tickets priced BD33, inclusive of food and drinks, can be reserved by calling 39609130. They are also available at Al Osra, Crowne Plaza and Bookcase.
