Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni and his spurned lovers.

Don Giovanni and his spurned lovers.

Once again, thanks to the good graces of the San Diego Opera (now celebrating it’s 50th season, thank you very much!), I was invited to do sketches of Mozart’s opera, Don Giovanni. This opera has long been a favorite of mine (I even parodied it– along with Geo. Bernard Shaw’s “sequel,” Don Juan in Hell– in 1987 for Wolff & Byrd’s weekly newspaper strip) and the SD Opera’s version did not disappoint! Here are some of my sketches done during the dress rehearsal. A tip of the powdered wig to SD Opera’s Ed Wilensky, who arranged the evening for local cartoonists. Check out the opera company’s official blog, Aria Serious? to see Eric Shanower’s and Rebecca Hicks’ sketches of Mozart’s infamous cad and his lovers!

Don Giovanni quite full of himself!

Don Giovanni quite full of himself!   

Giovanni, Donna Anna and Leporello in the Commendatore's crypt.

Giovanni, Donna Anna and Leporello in the Commendatore’s crypt.

Don Ottavio broods by the portrait of Donna Anna.

Don Ottavio broods by the portrait of Donna Anna.

Giovanni seduces Zerlina.

Giovanni seduces Zerlina.

Spoiler Alert:  Giovanni gets his comeuppance  and is dragged into hell.

Spoiler Alert: Giovanni gets his comeuppance and is dragged into hell.