Henry Choo

What makes Don Ottavio one of opera's most misunderstood roles?

Don Ottavio is both figuratively and literally dragged into Donna Anna's story. The resulting imbalance (inversion) in status, story-telling and narrative perspective often leads audiences, and some directors, to pay more attention to Anna's story and less about Ottavio.

Musically, Mozart's use of "feminine endings" for Ottavio, compared to the boldness of Don Giovanni, also contributes to the perception that Ottavio is weak and passive rather than strong and considered.

Dramatically, just as "one does not simply walk into Mordor", similarly Ottavio does not simply accuse a fellow nobleman of heinous crimes without irrefutable proof lest he invites unwanted scandal, disgrace and shame to Anna's good name.

Ottavio is all about doing what is right by Anna - supporting her through her grief, protecting her honour, advocating for her and others, and taking action in seeking out truth and justice - despite her constant rejection of him. There is much more to Ottavio than meets the eye, and his story is worth telling.

What surprised you most when preparing this role?

I first learned the role of Don Ottavio in 2003 and have performed several productions of Don Giovanni since that time. The surprising aspect comes down to the decisions that I make when playing the character, now, when compared to previous interpretations. With age comes real-world wisdom and a better understanding of oneself that helps to guide the choices that I make on stage as I bring my current version of Don Ottavio to life both musically and dramatically.

Don Ottavio is often dismissed as passive — the tenor who stands aside while the women suffer. Do you think that is fair?

Totally unfair, and inaccurate. Don Ottavio is a gentle man who stands for three main things: duty, compassion and love.

Despite his difficulty in accepting that a fellow nobleman could be capable of such heinous crimes, Ottavio supports both Anna and Elvira in their plan to confront Giovanni at his party, as well as subsequent attempts to apprehend Don Giovanni to answer for his crimes. He is the rock upon which Anna clings in her times of grief, whether these moments of grief are genuine or manipulative.

Ottavio continues his support of Anna despite her constant pushback, even while dealing with his own heartbreak when Anna tells him that she "loved" him (yes, past tense).

These are not the actions of a weak and passive character. A lesser man would likely have left Anna to avoid the scandal of her assault. But not Ottavio. He continually and unwaveringly stands by Anna's side to protect her honour, uncover the truth, and to bring those responsible to justice.

Why does Don Giovanni still resonate with audiences today?

I suspect that there are many reasons that contribute to the opera's continued resonance with today's audience. For example, the motivations of the characters from the popular show Ted Lasso are not dissimilar to those of Don Giovanni.

For me, the story of Don Giovanni serves as an allegory to real-world issues where injustice is fought against through advocacy of those in need, by giving people voice, and doing what is right.

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

Don Ottavio is the moral compass of his world and should therefore be embraced rather than rejected. He is steadfast, loyal, kind, considerate, compassionate, and of gentle nature; character traits that exemplify a person of honour and strength. Ottavio's compassion and kindness should not be mistaken for weakness of character and I hope that audiences are able to see past the superficial to discover the true strength that his character represents within the opera.

The real-world needs more people like Don Ottavio; those who will stand up for what is right, in the support of others, despite the potential of any personal loss or injury to themselves. It's a privilege and honour to be able to represent these values on stage.