The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra presents one of the most popular works in the operatic repertoire, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, on February 7. The HPO will collaborate with COSA (Centre for Opera Studies & Appreciation) in a fully staged production of an abridged and accessible Don Giovanni. The performance is 90 minutes long.
Don Giovanni blends elements of humour and tragedy in a story about seduction, hubris, scandal, and revenge. Actions have consequences, and passion can be dangerous. Don Giovanni aka Don Juan is an inveterate seducer. He’s followed by his valet Leporello in a string of his usual deceptions — but the day comes when he will have to answer for his arrogance.
James S. Kahane conducts the HPO and a roster of talented Canadian guest artists, and only a few single seats are left available.
Guest Artists
Melissa Bencic: Stage Director
Melissa Bencic’s journey in the music industry began performing and studying musical theatre. She earned a Master of Music in Opera Performance from McGill University and a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia, and performed opera, operetta, oratorio, musical theatre and concert repertoire throughout North America and Europe. Today she is an active producer and stage director along with her performing and teaching career. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bravo Academy, where she has developed arts programs for more than 20 years.
Allion Cecilia Arends: Donna Elvira
Canadian soprano Allison Cecilia Arends’ repertoire includes opera, and both new and traditional concert music. Allison earned degrees at the University of Victoria and the University of Toronto, and she is a graduate of Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program, where she performed several roles. She has sung several roles with the Highlands Opera Studio, as well as at the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy. Allision has performed in recital with the Aldeburgh Connection, Colours of Music Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Campbell House Recital Series, Winnipeg Women’s Musical Club, Saskatoon Opera, and Regina Musical Club, among several other prominent arts organizations.
Sydney Baedke: Donna Anna
Soprano Sydney Baedke has performed in operas and with orchestras across Canada, the United States, and Europe. She has made career appearances at the Royal Opera House, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. In 2025/26, she has performed in The Messiah with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, and German debut as Gertrudis in the German premiere production of Reznicek’s Till Eulenspiegel with Theater für Niedersachsen. In 2026, she will also be performing the role of Liù in Turandot with Orchestre Philharmonique et Choeur des Mélomanes at Montreal’s Maison Symphonique
Alexander Hajek: Don Giovanni
Baritone Alexander Hajek is a graduate of St. Michael’s Choir School, the Royal Conservatory, The Juilliard School of Music and both the Canadian Opera Company young artist and Dresden’s Semperoper Junges Ensemble programs. He’s won international awards that include the George London Foundation, Liedrkranz Competition, and the Oratorio Society of New York. He’s performed professional across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and even in the Arctic. He is a co-founder of Opera Revue, a Toronto organization that presents and performs opera events in unusual venues.
Kathryn Rose Johnston: Zerlina
Soprano Kathryn Rose Johnston earned a Master of Music in Opera from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Toronto. She has performed at the Halifax Summer Opera Festival and Saugeen Opera Festival, and with TGIF Opera, and the North York Concert Orchestra, among other ensembles. She was selected as a finalist in both the National Auditions for the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal and the 2023 National Capital Opera Society Competition, and was named a First Prize Winner in the American International Vocal Competition in Cleveland, Ohio.
Owen Phillipson: Il Commendatore & Masetto
Bass-baritone Owen Phillipson has performed multiple roles with Teatro Nuovo, and was the baritone soloist for Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and Toronto Children’s Chorus. He has also performed as a bass soloist with the St. Michael’s Choir School, COSA Canada, and at St. Thomas’s Anglican Church in Toronto. Owen is in the 4th year of his studies at the University of Toronto.
Jeremy Scinocca: Don Ottavio
Award-winning tenor Jeremy Scinocca has performed across Canada with companies that include Vancouver Opera, Manitoba Opera, Toronto City Opera, Festival d’Opéra de Québec, Voicebox: Opera in Concert, and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. He has performed several featured roles such as Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, Tonio in La Fille du Régiment, Ruggero in La Rondine, Rodolfo in La Bohème and as the Tenor Soloist in Handel’s Messiah, among others. He is a graduate of Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Farris Young Artist Program, where he performed several roles, and worked with Manitoba Opera as part of their Digital Emerging Artist Program.
Giles Tomkins: Leporello
Canadian/British bass-baritone Giles Tomkins has performed as a soloist in The Messiah with the Hamilton Philharmonic, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, and several other ensembles. He has performed in concert with Vancouver Bach Choir, Regina Symphony Orchestra, Chorus Niagara, and Vancouver Symphony. Giles has also taken on the role of Gandalf in The Hobbit (Burry) with Canadian Children’s Opera Company, and Khodozat in The Overcoat (Rolfe/Panych), a coproduction of Canadian Stage/Tapestry Opera/Vancouver Opera.
HPO: Don Giovanni
The performance takes place February 7 at Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre.
- Find show details and tickets [HERE].
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