{"id":121284,"date":"2026-01-29T12:49:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T17:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=121284"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:47:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T16:47:24","slug":"preview-hamilton-philharmonic-orchestra-presents-mozarts-don-giovanni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/01\/29\/preview-hamilton-philharmonic-orchestra-presents-mozarts-don-giovanni\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Presents Mozart\u2019s Don Giovanni"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L:
L: Hamilton Philharmonic Conductor James S. Kahane; R: Members of the HPO (Photos courtesy of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra presents one of the most popular works in the operatic repertoire, Mozart\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s followed by his valet Leporello in a string of his usual deceptions \u2014 but the day comes when he will have to answer for his arrogance.<\/p>\n

James S. Kahane<\/strong> conducts the HPO and a roster of talented Canadian guest artists, and only a few single seats are left available.<\/p>\n

Guest Artists<\/h2>\n

Melissa Bencic: Stage Director<\/h3>\n

Melissa Bencic\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Leanne Kaufman: Donna Elvira<\/h3>\n

Toronto-based soprano Leanne Kaufman performs regularly with the Canadian Opera Company, and has appeared in roles the include Fantik\/Jay in The Cunning Little Vixen, and Fourth Maid in Elektra. Her performance history also includes appearances at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the Westben Festival, Music Niagara, and Highlands Opera Studio. Leanne graduated from the University of Toronto with a Master of Music in Opera, and performed several roles with UofT Opera. Previously, she earned a Bachelor of Music in Opera from the University of British Columbia. She performed as a featured soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n

Sydney Baedke: Donna Anna<\/h3>\n

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 f\u00fcr Niedersachsen. In 2026, she will also be performing the role of Li\u00f9 in Turandot with Orchestre Philharmonique et Choeur des M\u00e9lomanes at Montreal\u2019s Maison Symphonique<\/p>\n

Alexander Hajek: Don Giovanni<\/h3>\n

Baritone Alexander Hajek is a graduate of St. Michael\u2019s Choir School, the Royal Conservatory, The Juilliard School of Music and both the Canadian Opera Company young artist and Dresden\u2019s Semperoper Junges Ensemble programs. He\u2019s won international awards that include the George London Foundation, Liedrkranz Competition, and the Oratorio Society of New York. He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Kathryn Rose Johnston: Zerlina<\/h3>\n

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’Op\u00e9ra de Montr\u00e9al and the 2023 National Capital Opera Society Competition, and was named a First Prize Winner in the American International Vocal Competition in Cleveland, Ohio.<\/p>\n

Owen Phillipson: Il Commendatore & Masetto<\/h3>\n

Bass-baritone Owen Phillipson has performed multiple roles with Teatro Nuovo, and was the baritone soloist for Vaughan Williams\u2019 Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and Toronto Children\u2019s Chorus. He has also performed as a bass soloist with the St. Michael\u2019s Choir School, COSA Canada, and at St. Thomas\u2019s Anglican Church in Toronto. Owen is in the 4th year of his studies at the University of Toronto.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Scinocca: Don Ottavio<\/h3>\n

Award-winning tenor Jeremy Scinocca has performed across Canada with companies that include Vancouver Opera, Manitoba Opera, Toronto City Opera, Festival d\u2019Op\u00e9ra de Qu\u00e9bec, Voicebox: Opera in Concert, and the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. He has performed several featured roles such as Nemorino in L\u2019elisir d\u2019amore, Tonio in La Fille du R\u00e9giment, Ruggero in La Rondine, Rodolfo in La Boh\u00e8me and as the Tenor Soloist in Handel’s Messiah, among others. He is a graduate of Vancouver Opera\u2019s Yulanda M. Farris Young Artist Program, where he performed several roles, and worked with Manitoba Opera as part of their Digital Emerging Artist Program.<\/p>\n

Giles Tomkins: Leporello<\/h3>\n

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\u2019s Opera Company, and Khodozat in The Overcoat (Rolfe\/Panych), a coproduction of Canadian Stage\/Tapestry Opera\/Vancouver Opera.<\/p>\n

HPO: Don Giovanni<\/h2>\n

The performance takes place February 7 at Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre.<\/p>\n