Be Seduced by Sin in Mozart's Don Giovanni Now thru Nov 1 at McCaw Hall in Seattle Center

This fall, Seattle Opera brings audiences one of the most popular operas of all time: Don Giovanni. Set to glorious music, Don Giovanni tells a cautionary tale of an unrepentant Casanova who must pay the price for his misdeeds. Seattle Weekly called Seattle Opera's production "Sleek, chic and colorful" when it first played to packed houses in 2007. The Everett Herald wrote: "Seattle's production pulses with scenic delights and compelling staging that never drags. It's a big story to tell: Don Juan seduces and worse, even murders, without remorse.... In this production, it's a great ride."

Since Don Giovanni's 1787 premiere, people have been coming back to this opera time and again because of Mozart's incredible music and the compelling characters he created, said Aidan Lang, General Director of Seattle Opera.

"Mozart gives us a tug-of-war between thought and feeling, right brain and left brain," Lang said. "Logic tells us we should condemn the character of the Don outright. But then our emotions kick in. We cannot help but be charmed, or even seduced by him. We reluctantly admire his unflinching adherence to his worldview, which celebrates free will even in the face of death."

In the title role, the production stars French bass, Nicolas Cavallier, who thrilled Seattle audiences in the May 2014 production of The Tales of Hoffmann with performances that were "urbane," "smooth," and "richly sung," according to Opera News. Indeed, The Seattle Times called his portrayal of Hoffmann's Villains, a "quadruple-threat"; he sang strongly and dominated each with a "particular brand of menace."

Lawrence Brownlee returns to Seattle to sing Don Ottavio for the first time in his professional career.The Seattle Times said the Seattle Opera Young Artist graduate was "at the international top of his form" when he sang Tonio in Daughter of the Regiment a year ago, in October 2013. The newspaper added: "[Brownlee] sings his highflying arias with an ease, purity and polish that could hardly be bettered."

Cuban soprano Elizabeth Caballero returns to McCaw Hall for the role of Donna Elvira following her performance as Mimì in La bohéme in February 2013. "As Mimì, Elizabeth Caballero was far and away the best singer in the cast, her voice swelling gracefully over every note, light but powerful, precise but full," wrote City Arts Magazine. Soprano Christine Brandes will sing Donna Elvira in the alternate cast. Previous Seattle appearances for Brandes include Pamina in The Magic Flute and Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro.

Making her Seattle Opera debut is Canadian soprano Erin Wall as Donna Anna-whose portrayal of this part has been called "exceptional" by the Vancouver Observer. Also making debuts in Seattle are several American artists: baritone Mark Walters (alternate cast Don Giovanni), soprano Alexandra LoBianco(alternate cast Donna Anna), tenor Randall Bills (alternate cast Don Ottavio) and Evan Boyer (Masetto).

Don Giovanni also features Cecelia Hall as Zerlina and Jordan Bisch as the Commendatore. Erik Anstine returns as Leporello, a role he sang to praise from The Seattle Times in 2011 as a Seattle Opera Young Artist. Ashraf Sewailam returns as Don Giovanni's manservant in the alternate cast.

Gary Thor Wedow, celebrated by The Seattle Times for his "authoritative musical leadership" and "vibrant conducting" for productions such as The Magic Flute (2011) and Orpheus and Eurydice (2012), is at the podium. Three-time Seattle Opera Artist of the Year winner Chris Alexander returns to direct the production following his recent work on The Tales of Hoffmann (2014).

Marie-Therese Cramer's chic costume designs incorporate both 18th century and modern-day fashions, and sets by Robert Dahlstrom were lauded as "the most persuasive and imaginative of his career" byThe Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 2007.

Production Sponsor: Maryanne Tagney and David Jones

The 2014/15 Season in honor of Speight Jenkins

Don Giovanni premieres today, Oct. 18 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 1. Tickets are available online at seattleopera.org or by calling 206.389.7676 or 800.426.1619. Tickets may also be purchased at the Box Office by visiting 1020 John Street (two blocks west of Fairview), Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25.