“The Giacomo Variations” a Unique Show in Samborondon

With an anxious but scarce public, last night was premiered one of the most anticipated theatre plays of the year: the opera “The Giacomo Variations”, in the main auditorium of the Sanchez Aguilar Theatre.

“The Giacomo Variations”

This chamber opera, written and directed by Michael Sturminger and starring by actor and filmmaker, John Malkovich presents the story of Giacomo Casanova, a doctor of jurisprudence who lived an adventurous life, full of excesses, trips and women, who after writing his reports (1790, “Histoire de ma vie”), became one of the most famous men in the world.

Along with the Orchestra of the Vienna Academy, this chamber opera was adapted musically by Michael Sturminger and Conductor Martin Haselböck, giving a dramatic and comedic approach to history, using pieces of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte, as Don Giovanni, Le Figaro and Cosi Fan Tutte.

Through a simple scenario with three tents lined with patterned curtains and fringes, used to transport the audience to the eighteenth century, where the story unfolds of Giacomo Casanova who close to his death, continues its persistent pursuit of reason to be alive, if it is not to be desired and intended by the woman you love. And somewhere in between these meetings, full of desire and passion for many women, Casanova has to face his greatest fear: to die before discovering what he has lived.

Giacomo (Malkovich) plays the roles of Don Giovanni, Count Almaviva and Don Alfonso, like Figaro, Leporello and Guilielmo. While his female companion, Elisa (Ingeborga Dapkunaite) becomes Donna Elvira, Susanna, Dorabella, Despina, Zerlina and Rosina.

Before reaching Samborondón, this work was presented at the renowned Sydney Opera House and the Château de Versailles Spectacles in France.