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Skylark Opera's Prohibition-era 'Don Giovanni'

Time travel, elusive in the science lab, is commonplace in opera. Verdi in Vegas? The 

But Skylark Opera takes the concept one immersive step further. Its new production of 

 is set in a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and in this site-specific performance, an audience of 100 follows the singers as they move through the magnificent Woman's Club of Minneapolis. Different scenes play out in different rooms, all sung in English. In the banquet scene, the audience even gets hors d'oeuvres and wine along with the characters!

Classical MPR invited Don Giovanni (Gabriel Preisser) and his partner-in-crime Leporello (Andrew Wilkowski) into our studio, along with director Robert Neu, for a sneak preview — sans gangsters — and some gorgeous Mozart to remind us why this famous bad boy of opera continues to charm.

John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.


John Birge

Skylark Opera's new production of 'Don Giovanni' is set in a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Classical MPR invited Don Giovanni (Gabriel Preisser) and his partner-in-crime Leporello (Andrew Wilkowski) into our studio, along with director Robert Neu, for a sneak preview and some gorgeous Mozart to remind us why this famous bad boy of opera continues to charm.


Speakeasy, Sing loudly! Skylark Opera's Prohibition 'Don Giovanni'

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