Take your emotions to the next level with a night at the Opera.
While opera gets a bad rap—and is famously not to the taste of Timothée Chalamet—it remains an art form well worth embracing. In an era dominated by the overconsumption of mass-produced streaming content, a night at the opera feels almost therapeutic: a tonic for the mind, body, and soul. For a few hours, you’re transported into a world of big emotions, soaring vocals, and rich orchestral sound, where culturally layered stories unfold in foreign languages—made accessible by thoughtfully provided subtitles.
This week Melbourne Opera is staging Don Giovanni, one of Mozart’s most famous operas. A rich blend of comedy and tragedy about how karma catches up with serial womanizer Don Giovanni.
This production focuses on the story of three women who unite in their quest for revenge and bring Don Giovanni to justice, on behalf of the many, many women listed in the heinous catalogue of his ‘conquests’ according to director Suzanne Chaundy.
Three of Australia’s finest sopranos deliver captivating performances as the trio. Lee Abrahmsen as Donna Anna seeking vengeance for her own assault and the death of her father, Eleanor Greenwood as conflicted wife Donna Elvira, and Soprano Rebecca Rashleigh (Herald Sun Aria Winner 2018) is the peasant bride Zerlina, whom the Don attempts to seduce the night she marries Masetto. Masetto is performed by Stephen Marsh, who has just returned from the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Taking on the role of Don Giovanni is the accomplished international baritone Christopher Tonkin who has appeared throughout the UK, Europe and Australasia in major roles. He is utterly compelling as the handsome, slick and devious scoundrel.
Soprano Lee Abrahmsen said this of taking on the role of Donna Anna. “Vocally, it’s a major undertaking. Donna Anna leads every ensemble high above the stave and sings one of Mozart’s longest and most emotionally charged recitatives”.
Henry Shaw, winner of the OCCA Best Emerging Talent Award 2025, absolutely excels as Don Giovanni’s servant Leporello. A source of much of the humour and a character that drives the narrative forward in many ways. Bass Eddie Muliaumaseali’i provides much gravitas as the murdered Commendatore, who drags Don Giovanni to the hell that he deserves. Tenor Henry Choo is completely engaging in his performance of Don Ottavio, the fiancé of Donna Anna.
Green Room Award nominated conductor Raymond Lawrence conducts, delivering some of Mozart’s most famous and loved music. Highlights include ‘Catalogue Aria’ (Madamina, il catalogo è questo), the seductive duet ‘Là ci darem la mano’ and the rapid Champagne Aria (Fin ch’han dal vino).
The clever set design creates the illusion of depth and space on stage and works in perfect harmony with proportions of the Athenaeum theatre. While the size of the venue makes the experience feel intimate with virtually every seat enjoying a good view of the stage.
Everyone deserves a night at the opera so make the most of this highly enjoyable production.
Don Giovanni: 26 April – 3 May 2026 at the Athenaeum Theatre.
More information and Tickets here.
| Melbourne Opera is staging a timely production of Don Giovanni (The Rake Punished) from 26 April – 3 May at the Athenaeum Theatre. This staging strikes at the heart of Don Giovanni’s narcissism and brutality, refusing to brush over his assaults as mere elements of the dramma giocoso. Instead, it gives voice and agency to the women he has wronged. Universally acknowledged as one of the greatest operas ever written, this time Don Giovanni will see justice finally served. Director Suzanne Chaundy will once again show her deft touch in directing the operatic stage. “It is a complete misreading of Mozart and Da Ponte’s intent to see Don Giovanni as a rebel hero. Only his narcissism places him in that role. This production will focus the story on the trio of powerful and vengeful women who bring Don Giovanni to justice on behalf of the many, many women listed in the heinous catalogue of his ‘conquests’,” says Suzanne Chaundy, who is making her United Kingdom opera directing debut in July. “Justice is coming to Don Giovanni just as it caught up with recent high profile sex offenders like the former Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein, and as many would picture justice coming to other offenders from the Epstein Files.” Three of Australia’s best sopranos will join forces in passionate revenge. Lee Abrahmsen (“Die Meistersinger”, The Ring Cycle) as Donna Anna for her own assault and for the death of her father, Eleanor Greenwood (Turandot, The Ring Cycle)as conflicted wife Donna Elvira, and Soprano Rebecca Rashleigh (Herald Sun Aria Winner 2018, The Ring Cycle) is the peasant bride Zerlina, whom the Don attempts to seduce the night she marries Masetto. Masetto is performed by Stephen Marsh, who has just returned from the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Taking on the role of Don Giovanni is international baritone Christopher Tonkin. “It certainly is an interesting time to be playing such a character as Don Giovanni. Art has always been a commentary on deeper issues and this is a very important conversation to have,” says Christopher, who has appeared throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and Australasia and performed major roles with Opera Australia, Melbourne Opera and many other leading opera companies. Soprano Lee Abrahmsen was genuinely surprised by the sheer scale of the role of Donna Anna. “Vocally, it’s a major undertaking. Donna Anna leads every ensemble high above the stave and sings one of Mozart’s longest and most emotionally charged recitatives. Add the psychological weight she carries, and it becomes a role of remarkable stamina, nuance and depth,” says Lee. Henry Shaw, winner of the OCCA Best Emerging Talent Award 2025, is singing Don Giovanni’s servant Leporello. Bass Eddie Muliaumaseali’i joins the cast as the murdered Commendatore, who drags Don Giovanni to the hell that he deserves. Tenor Henry Choo is singing Don Ottavio, betrothed to Donna Anna. Green Room Award nominated conductorRaymond Lawrence will conduct, delivering some of Mozart’s most famous and most loved music. Highlights include ‘Catalogue Aria’ (Madamina, il catalogo è questo), the seductive duet ‘Là ci darem la mano’ and the rapid Champagne Aria (Fin ch’han dal vino). In August, Melbourne Opera will stage Il Trovatore starring leading international soprano Helena Dix and Rosario La Spina, who won a 2026 Green Room Award for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role for Melbourne Opera’s Samson et Dalila. The company’s ambitious staging of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (2025) was a major winner in the inaugural OperaChaser Critics Awards (OCCAs), announced in February. |
www.melbourneopera.com |
