The Giovanni Shuffle

Baritone Mariusz Kwiecien ready to tackle Mozart opera.

Back to work: Mariusz Kwiecien as Don Giovanni.
Photo by Nick Heavican © 2011 The Metropolitan Opera.

Mariusz Kwiecien is coming back to the Metropolitan Opera.

The Polish baritone, who suffered a herniated disc in an Oct. 10 dress rehearsal of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Don Giovanni, has been cleared to make his debut as the libertine Spanish nobleman on Oct. 25.

Mr. Kwiecien was taken to the hospital on a back board, and underwent surgery earlier this week. He was heard to be in good spirits as he was being lifted off the stage, predicting that he would see the cast "next Thursday." Recovery for this kind of operation can take from two to four weeks.

However, the Oct. 13 season premiere featured Swedish baritone Peter Mattei in the title role of Mozart's opera. Mr. Mattei was under contract to sing Figaro in the Met's current revival of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. He switched roles at the urging of Met management.


According to a report by Daniel Wakin in the New York Times Mr. Kwiecien has been cleared by his doctors to do all the physical activity required in this new staging, with the exception of a climb down a ladder in the opening scene. This includes the mandolin playing, sword-fighting, and the occasional attempted sexual assault.

The prognosis means that Mr. Kwiecien will be able to sing the role in the performance on Oct. 29, which will be broadcast live in movie theaters around the globe as part of the Met's Live in HD series. It is standard practice for the company to film the performance before the broadcast as "backup", so expect to see cameras in the house on Oct. 25.

The new production of Don Giovanni is by Tony-winning director Michael Grandage. It opened on Oct. 13. You can read a live blog of the opening night here. Mr. Mattei will be singing on Monday night. That performance will be reviewed on Superconductor next week.

Another Juan Bites the Dust

Rehearsal accident sidelines Mariusz Kwiecien.

Disabled Don: Mariusz Kwiecien will
not sing the premiere of the new Don Giovanni.
Photo by Nick Heavican © 2011 The Metropolitan Opera.

Baritone Mariusz Kwiecien suffered a back injury during the Monday, Oct. 10 dress rehearsal of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Don Giovanni. The staging, by Michael Grandage  is scheduled to open on Thursday night.

The singer suffered a back injury during the opening scene of the first act: a night-time swordfight between the libertine Don and the Commendatore, played by bass Stefan Kocan. According to an eyewitness who was at the rehearsal, Mr. Kwiecien and Mr. Kocan "were dueling. Something popped" during the energetic sequence.

Mr. Kwiecien was strapped to a back-board and removed to a nearby hospital. The rehearsal continued with the "cover", (baritone Dwayne Croft) in the title role. The eyewitness said that Mr. Kwiecien was conscious, in good spirits, and said "See you Thursday!"

Unfortunately, that won't be the case. In a roster shuffle, Mr. Kwiecien has been replaced for Thursday's performance by Peter Mattei, who last sang the role at the Met three years ago. Dwayne Croft will remain the cover. Mr. Mattei is currently under contract to sing Figaro in the Met's fall of Il Barbiere di Siviglia. (Review here.)

Peter Mattei (right) as Don Giovanni at the Met.
Photo by Ken Howard © 2009 The Metropolitan Opera.

Meanwhile, in an update by New York Times reporter Daniel J. Wakin, Mr. Kwiecien underwent back surgery for a herniated disc on Tuesday. His doctor says that the singer's prognosis is "excellent." We here at Superconductor would like to wish Mr. Kwiecien a swift and speedy recovery.

With Mr. Mattei trading in his straight razor for the Don's champagne glass, the role of Figaro will be taken over by Rodion Pogissov, who is also scheduled to sing the role of the barber in the company's spring run of the opera. Gerald Finley will sing the spring performances of Don Giovanni

The Superconductor review of Don Giovanni (with or without Mr. Kweicien) will appear following the Oct. 17 performance. Meanwhile, a preview of the production can be found here.