Stephen Marsh

What makes Masetto one of opera's most underrated roles?

I think that Masetto is often overlooked because he has a short aria and the least amount of time on the stage. This means that he just has the shortest amount of time to make an impact on the story and the audience, and he does. Masetto has just as much to say as any other character in this opera. He is an incredibly human character, he has flaws but at heart is a good person with a moral compass, a complete opposite to don giovanni who, even when given final opportunities to repent and change his ways in the finale - does not do so. He is the only character to see Don Giovanni for what he is from the beginning.

What surprised you most when preparing this role?

The complexity of feelings that would come with this character and the arc the Masetto and Zerlina share together. We see anger, aggression, pain, frustration, happiness, joy, sadness. A lot of different colours and shades from the emotional spectrum. Regardless of the mis-steps that these two young people have taken in the story, they both love each other deep down. I have really loved working alongside Rebecca Rashleigh, we have been good friends for over a decade now and this allowed us to really experiment with reactions and how we tell Zerlina and Masetto's story.

Masetto is the everyman in a story full of aristocrats — he has the most legitimate grievance and the least power to act on it. What does that mean to you as a performer?

I think Masetto is a passionate person and quick to anger, this unfortunately is his undoing. Regardless of the levels of status in this opera he will try to right the insult that has been done to his honour by both Zerlina and also the Don. I believe that his honour transcends status. When someone is pushed up to a wall and feels they have nothing to lose, this can indeed make someone most dangerous. I feel his decisions reflect this, and this leads to Giovanni fooling him in act 2 and beating him up. His passion gets the best of him. I can indeed empathise with him.

What do you hope audiences understand about Masetto after seeing this production?

He may not be the highest of status but Masetto is a man of the world and understands things more than people give him credit for. For example, he is the only character in the opera who accurately gains the measure of the Don from the minute he meets him and sees Giovanni lock his eyes on Zerlina. He knows what the Don will try to do and in that instance he is powerless to do anything until later in the story.

Describe Masetto in three words.

Passionate. Honourable. Fiery.