Mozart’s brilliant Don Giovanni at Boston Lyric Opera a Must-Hear

REVIEW: Boston Lyric Opera's Don Giovanni is an outstanding presentation of one of the most important Mozart operas: the tale of the cad, womanizer, despotic, reprehensible,charming, lecherous and sensual Don Giovanni. Christopher Schaldenbrand who has deliciously made the title role his trademark, makes his BLO debut and is audacious, handsome, loathsome, comical and mesmerizing with a marvelous slithery, almost caricature-like demeanor.Susanna Phillips, as Donna Anna, portrayed anguish through her clear soprano voice and arftul acting.


Mozart’s celebrated tragicomedy of the world's most legendary lover, widely regarded as one of the greatest operas, tells the tale of the famous womanizer who has one last chance to repent of his philandering ways. But when he adds murder and blasphemy to his lengthy list of sins, human and supernatural forces exact an eerie punishment and avenge his thousands of conquests (2,065 to be exact). In the last laugh, though, Don Giovanni goes to his death with the same mocking, disdainful attitude he had towards civility, society, mores and anything but his own desires.

The new production presents the original Prague edition of 1787, which differs from the Viennese version that most contemporary audiences recognize.

Don Giovanni, the famous seducer of women is everyone’s favorite bad guy. He assaults Donna Anna and murders her father. He spurns Elvira and then he seduces the young new bride Zerlina. Don Giovanni ultimately meets a deservedly hellish end –yet he is a likable rogue.

For all its tragic elements and complex characters, there is much broad comedy in Don Giovanni which lightens the action and produces laughs throughout the three-hour long opera. The Boston Lyric Opera’s Don Giovanni is a new production with the action taking place in 1950’s Italy. Christopher Schaldenburg performs the title role with glee. The Don’s faithful sidekick Leporello is played by Matthew Burns. His bass baritone singing of the comic “Catalogue Aria” where he tosses little address books out of his pockets on the stage detailing the Don’s many previous conquests (Italy, Spain, young, old, etc.) practically steals the show. The women - Susanna Phillips as Donna Anna, Kimwana Doner as Elvira, and Heather Johnson as Zerlina are superb. Anna, a soaring soprano, pierced my heart with her mournful song for her dead father. Conductor Anthony Barrese was terrific.



Murray-Walsh's period costuming added panache to the dark set stage.
Don Giovanni at the Schubert Theatre (265 Tremont St., Boston, 617-542-4912, www.blo.org.
Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) wraps up its 2008-2009 “Spellbound” Season with a unique approach to Mozart’s brilliant Don Giovanni. The highly acclaimed director and designer team of Tazewell Thomson (Stage Director), Donald Eastman (Set Designer), Merrily Murray-Walsh (Costume Designer), and Robert Wierzel (Lighting Designer) worked with BLO staff on innovative ways to create a new production of this repertoire favorite. Bravo to a fabulous production.

When BLO’s new Artistic Director Esther Nelson approached Mr. Thompson to direct Don Giovanni, she encouraged him to create a fresh perspective on the classic opera without incurring the usual expenses of a new set and costumes. Mr. Thompson had previously worked with Mr. Eastman on the design for Death in Venice for New York City Opera (NYCO) and Glimmerglass Opera. Mr. Eastman recalls, “The setting for Death in Venice was originally conceived by Tazewell and myself as a dream-like evocation of classical and urban Italian architecture combined into one space that could evoke, through lighting, the qualities of infernal brightness or chilling darkness. Together we realized how perfect a springboard for telling the Giovanni story it was. New ideas came to light as we re-entered and rediscovered a space where yet another great story could be told.”

The choice to take Don Giovanni out of the eighteenth century and set it in the 1950s gave a more immediate feeling to the opera; no powdered wigs, long sabers or torn gowns in this production.

Don Giovanni runs May 1, 3, and 5 at the Shubert Theatre, Boston. Evening performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday matinees at 3 pm. It is sung in Italian with projected English translation. Single tickets start at $33 and are sold exclusively at 866.348.9738 (TTY 888.889.8587), citicenter.org, or in person at the Schubert Theater, 270 Tremont Street in Boston . Discounts are available to groups of ten or more by calling Audience Services at 617.542.6772. Half price student tickets are available in advance at the Box Office and day of show office with a valid student ID.

Redondo Beach, California -- Sizzle on Land & Sea

Bring sunscreen. Redondo Beach and Redondo Beach Pier offer plenty to do year round for families, singles, couples and runners. Redondo Beach hosts summer wide free events so if you plan to be in Southern California this summer, check out these events.

A terrific range of free events, activities and entertainment will be held at the Pier, provided by the Redondo Beach Pier Association and Pier Merchants. Check out this sample; contact the chamber for a complete schedule. Don't forget the whale watch, which for me, became Dolphins at Sea.

Probably the most popular and well-known festival is The annual International Surf Festival, taking place in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, with competitions in surfing, running, lifeguard dory races, sand soccer, bodysurfing, volleyball, paddleboard swimming and much more from July 31 to August 2.

Redondo Beach 7th Annual Chalk Art Festival & Live Music Saturday, August 22, Come out to Redondo Beach and see how the Redondo Beach Pier’s walkway becomes a veritable canvas on which all can create their own chalk art. The first 150 people to enter receive free chalk. The festival is FREE to the public and open to all ages. Individual and team prizes will be awarded in various categories

35th Annual Festival of the Kite, Sunday, March 8, one of Southern California’s best and longest-running kite festival sponsored by X-Kites. This year the festival will include a martial arts demonstration by Chambliss Taekwondo, live music on the pier and $500 in prizes will be awarded! Prizes for highest kite, youngest kite flyer, youngest at heart kite flyer, best hand-made kite, and best ground display and kite trivia contest winner. The day will end with a mass kite ascension flight.

6th Annual Yo-Yo Competition Sunday, March 8, will include a F.A.S.T. throw down, freestyle performance, most improved player, best trick, compulsories, longest sleeper and longest Buddha sleeper (world record set on the Redondo Pier last year at 16 minutes, 40 seconds beating the former record by over two minutes). In May, enjoy the Art & Jazz Festival May 2 - 3, and artisans and craftsmen displaying their works.
In June, it’s time for the Chopper Festival June 13 – 14, a celebration of motorcycles and motorcycle riding in America. This event will feature new and custom bikes on display backed by live rock n’ roll.

July offers The 2009 Summer of Music concerts on the Pier from July 4 through Labor Day Weekend, every Thursday & Saturday evening. Every show will bring music from the 50’s, Big Band, Blues, Country, Drum Circles, Island, Latin, Pop, Classic Rock and Surf. Don’t miss the artsy, fun 7th Annual Chalk Art Festival.

To see the complete schedule of events or to sign up, visit www.SurfFestival.org.

Catch up on local history at the Redondo Beach Historical Museum. Enjoy a show at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center or see, touch, and learn about sea life at the SEA Lab.

For more information, contact www.redondopier.com or the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, 310-376-6911, or visit www.redondochamber.org.

Sunny Redondo Beach & Dolphin Watch

Redondo Beach and Redondo Beach Pier offer plenty to do for families, singles, couples and runners. Once a commercial port, the City now has a pier with unique shops and restaurants, water sport activities, marinas, and a sport fishing fleet. There's an attractive sea front esplanade that has been called With year-round festivals, contests, biking, kite festival and summer music on the make this a high-activity, zesty place to hang out after you “hang up” your surfboard, swim-suit, roller blades, whatever.


Redondo Beach Marina boasts ocean-oriented activities ranging from sport fishing, boat rides, to a myriad of water sports. Whale watching excursions cruise the South Bay from November through April to view the gray whales migrate to Baja. Diving and snorkeling, boating and sailing fill out the nautical menu. In the evening twilight fishing, brilliant sunsets, delicious dinners, exciting entertainment, dancing at the water’s edge, or a stroll along the ocean. Redondo Beach Marina boasts six restaurants featuring seafood to Chinese choices so no one goes hungry here.


One of the most popular festivals is the annual International Surf Festival. It takes place in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, with competitions in surfing, running, lifeguard dory races, sand soccer, bodysurfing, volleyball, paddleboard swimming and much more. To see the complete schedule of events or to sign up, visit www.SurfFestival.org.

Photographers love the street action, diving pelicans, seals and beach action. Jake got a photo of a diving pelican from the pier; later, on the whale watch, we took more photos of the high-flying dolphins; sleepy seals, and lazy sea lions hanging out on the red buoys.


From the Strand cyclists, runners and stroller, to the surfers, sunbathers, beachcombers, families and photographers, Redondo Beach is a quintessential Southern California beach community. Can you hear the Beach Boys? For those who like some other entertainment off the beach, the Redondo Beach Pier and Marina offer plenty to do. If you like to fish, throw in a line because you do not need a license to fish from the Redondo Beach Pier. California allows free public fishing from pier structures.

Restaurants, breakfast cafes, bars, game arcades, open-air bars and restaurants Chinese, Indonesian, French, Mexican, and of course American, from the ribs of Chicago to the spicy seafood of Louisiana are also available. The casual bayside Captain Kidd’s Restaurant features eat-in or take-out fresh fish, from lobster dinners to salmon to scallops. Polly’s on the Pier, next to the whale watch ticket office, offers breakfast and lunch with a boat-side view. Jake and I asked for a harbor side window table for dinner at the excellent Bluewater Grill, We ordered lobster bisque, clam chowder, scallops and salmon. Our window faced west and as we dined at 5 p.m., we watched the glorious sunset while we dined. A double delight.


A highlight of Redondo Beach is Redondo Beach Marina, and Pier. The Pier is open 24 hours a day for walkers, fisherman, pelicans and people watching. The shops and restaurants, including breakfast or lunch Polly’s, Captain Kidd’s or Bluewater Grill complete the offerings of this super lively area.
The Redondo Beach Marina and Pier are the center for water activities, from speedboat rides, to kayak and paddleboat rentals to sports fishing excursions to whale watches. Ocean-oriented activities from sport fishing, boat rides, and water sports to seasonal whale watching excursions abound. Water sport enthusiasts can choose from a wide range of recreational boats and trips, which leave from the Pier and Marina. Check out the Gondola Amore, Kayak & Pedal Boat Rentals, Looking Glass Bottom Boat, Ocean Racer Speed Boat, the Voyager whale or nature watch, South Bay Sailing, sports fishing or Pacific Star Diving cruises. Put some excitement in your life with a thrilling coastline “speed” ride on the Ocean Racer.

Jake, my 25-year old nephew Ben Serviss and I boarded the Voyager at 1:30 p.m. on a Saturday for a relaxing whale watching trip, heading out across the Bay towards Catalina Island then back. The two-deck wooden boat holds 140 passengers; the day we cruised it was about half-full so we easily ran all around the bow and deck when the dolphins appeared and began riding the bow waves, jumping and frolicking in the waves. The southward migration of the California Gray Whale is a magnificent sight. The Whale Watch season runs mid-December through March.

On board for the three to three-and-a-half-hour tour is a member of the Cetacean Society is aboard to explain sea life and California Gray Whale. Commonly seen are Sharks, Pilot Whales, Sea Lions, Seals, Pelicans, Sea Gulls and the finned comedians of the deep- the playful Porpoises and Dolphins. Great views of Catalina Island, the South Bay, mountains and beaches added to our relaxing excursion. Redondo Sport Fishing offers Whale Watch Excursions; buy tickets at The Voyager Boat Ride ticket office on the International Boardwalk at the Redondo Beach Marina; call (310) 372-2111. Or website Redondo Sportfishing.com.

Manhattan Beach in Sunny California

Home after two sunny weeks in Manhattan Beach, California, visiting my son, Jake, I miss my long walks on the Strand, tour of the Getty Villa, lunch Izzy’s in Santa Monica with my cousin, Stuart and Joy Pankin (he played the Rabbi on Curb Your Enthusiasm in a scene filmed at Izzy’s), trips to the Los Angeles Museum of Art, La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum, a day and night at Disneyland and California Adventure, a whale watch from Redondo Beach Pier with my nephew, Ben Serviss, eating at Jerry’s Diner, breakfast at the Local Yolk, and sun, sun and sun.

Every day I strolled for two miles on the Strand’s 27-mile pedestrian and bike pathway stretching along South Bay’s Pacific Ocean from Santa Monica in the north to Torrance Beach in the south, while Jake spent a few days training for the Catalina Island Marathon on March 14 (his fourth year in a row). One Saturday Ben met us in Redondo Beach for a whale watch, to eat and hangout. (Photos by Rachel Rome)