World Premiere of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' in Dnipro
The Dnipro National Opera and Ballet Theater is set to unveil its production of Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' on May 15-16. Directed by Honored Artist of Ukraine Viacheslav Zhyla, this performance marks the company's first major show since being granted the prestigious 'national' designation by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late March. The opera, composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, will be performed in Ukrainian using Mykola Lukash's acclaimed translation.
A Modern Take on a Timeless Classic
Zhyla describes 'Don Giovanni' as a work that exposes human nature and its vices, forcing audiences to confront a difficult question: should we condemn the title character, or try to understand this antihero? He highlights how Mozart's music creates a mystical, layered world where the lines between morality, temptation, and punishment constantly blur.
'It is fundamentally important to me that we stage this opera in Ukrainian—in Mykola Lukash's brilliant translation. This is a contribution to the development of Ukrainian intellectual culture, as we merge the global operatic heritage with the power of the Ukrainian language's musicality and expressiveness.'
— Viacheslav Zhyla
The theater's team promises a contemporary interpretation featuring bold direction, modern set design, a dynamic pace, and refined costumes. The production will incorporate historically styled attire, expressive choreography, and the powerful musical presence of the theater's orchestra and choir.
Rostyslav Karandieiev, the theater's general director, noted that achieving national status represents the highest level of state recognition for a cultural institution. He emphasized that it serves as a marker of quality, trust, and national significance.
'This comes with the responsibility to represent Ukrainian art at the highest level, to preserve traditions while simultaneously creating something new—with renewed strength, fresh inspiration, and powerful motivation. A new chapter lies ahead. More work. More meaning. More art that helps people live, endure, and feel.'
— Rostyslav Karandieiev
The premiere of 'Don Giovanni' is a landmark event for Ukraine's cultural scene, as theaters with national status are tasked with elevating artistic quality and promoting Ukrainian culture. By staging the opera in Ukrainian translation, the production underscores the importance of linguistic identity in the arts and fosters the growth of Ukraine's theatrical landscape. It also reflects the theater's commitment to not only preserving classical traditions but also refining them for contemporary audiences. As such, 'Don Giovanni' is expected to serve as a vivid example of how classic works can be infused with Ukrainian cultural specificity.
As the Dnipro National Opera and Ballet Theater prepares for its momentous premiere, audiences may also be interested in the upcoming debut of the Lesya Ukrainka Theater's production, "Sanatorium Zone," which promises to bring fresh narratives to the stage this April and May. This juxtaposition of new works reflects the vibrant evolution of Ukraine's cultural landscape.