Don Giovanni at the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

Grand Théatre de Provence

Until July 18, 2025

No dialogue

Location

Grand Théatre de Provence
380 avenue Max Juvénal, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Capacity 1350 seats

Duration

3 h 15 min

With intermission


Details

Opera

For all audiences

In Italian with French and English surtitles


Story: Don Giovanni

Who is Don Giovanni, this devil of a man who seduces so many women from all walks of life: princesses, barons, simple peasants?

 

Would you like someone to finally give you the answer to this question?
Then head for the Grand Théâtre de Provence!

 

The Festival d'Aix-en-Provence 2025 presents a new production of Don Giovannii, under the direction of the prestigious conductor Sir Simon Rattle, at the helm of the Bavarian Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. This performance also marks the acclaimed operatic debut of British director Robert Icke, renowned for his bold, modern take on the great classics.

 

The cast brings together a group of singers of international renown: Andrè Schuen lends his charisma to Don Giovanni, while Krzysztof Bączyk plays an incisive Leporello. Golda Schultz and Magdalena Kožená shine in the roles of Donna Anna and Donna Elvira, bringing power and subtlety to these iconic female figures. Amitai Pati (Don Ottavio) will impress with his virtuosity, while Madison Nonoa (Zerlina) will charm with her freshness. Clive Bayley, as the imposing Commander, and Paweł Horodyski (Masetto) round off the cast brilliantly.

 

Accompanied by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, this Don Giovanni, performed at the Grand Théâtre de Provence from 4 to 18 July 2025, promises an astonishing and captivating re-reading of Mozart's opera, combining musical depth and innovative stage vision. A highlight of the festival not to be missed.

 

Perhaps at last you'll find the answer to all your questions!

Story: Don Giovanni

Mozart's Don Giovanni, with libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, is a drama combining comedy and tragedy. The opera follows the adventures of Don Giovanni, an inveterate seducer and libertine. After attempting to seduce Donna Anna and killing her father, the Commander, Giovanni continues his conquests, accompanied by his valet, Leporello. He deceives Donna Elvira, a former lover, and tries to seduce the young Zerlina during her engagement to Masetto. However, the victims of his manipulations unite to demand justice.

 

In a particularly gripping finale, Don Giovanni refuses to repent when confronted by the statue of the Commander returned from the dead. This statue will drag him down to hell, punishing him for his arrogance and sins.

 

Combining humour, passion and dramatic tension, Don Giovanni explores the themes of desire, morality and the consequences of one's actions in a score of unparalleled richness.

Grand Théatre de Provence

380 avenue Max Juvénal, 13100 Aix-en-Provence

History and Fun Facts about the Grand Théâtre de Provence

 

Lovers of the lyric art form, rejoice — allow us to introduce you to your new favourite venue! Every summer since 2007, operatic fanatics have flocked from across the globe to the Grand Théâtre de Provence to revel in the sumptuous works of composers, both classical and contemporary, and to bear witness to exceptional productions as crafted by the most prominent directors in the opera and theatre scenes.

 

Ever since its construction at the gateway to the historic city of Aix-en-Provence - the south of France’s cultural pearl — the Grand Théâtre de Provence has stood as a paragon of musical showcasing. Enthusiasts and curious first-timers alike come here to discover (or revisit) the greatest operas in history.

 

Sprawling 20,000 square metres, the Grand Théâtre de Provence boasts 6,000 terraces, 1,382 seats, 10 rehearsal rooms, and a modular pit that can accommodate up to 105 musicians. This feat of architecture was designed by Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti, and was created with the aim of bringing music to all audiences - and, to this day, this is precisely what it does!

 

Every year during the world-famous Aix-en-Provence Festival, this historic venue comes alive as it throws its doors open to accommodate the beloved Festival d’Art Lyrique — a celebration of all things operatic, offering a veritable plethora of opera performances with exceptional stagings and magnificent scores.

 

Hosting around 100 performances a year, the Grand Théâtre de Provence is also a venue for artistic residences year-round, welcoming prestigious orchestras such as the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, and many others. Renowned artists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Hélène Grimaud, and Vadim Repin have also frequented its storied stage. This celebrated roster of visitors is certainly testament to its exceptional acoustics, not to mention its legacy of brilliance in the world of music and theatre.

 

The streets of Aix-en-Provence are paved with wonder and whimsy. Come summer, you'll love strolling through them, enjoying the cultural and natural sights, and of course paying a visit to the Grand Théâtre de Provence — France’s Mecca of lyric art — to hear the very best in opera!

 

Fast facts
Capacity: 1350
Handicap Accessible: Yes — please let us know at hello@theatreinparis.com at the time of booking so that we can inform the theatre and accommodate to your needs the best we can.
Air conditioning: Yes
Heating: Yes
Coat Check: No

FAQ

How do I get to Grand Théâtre de Provence in Aix-en-Provence?

From the SNCF train station, which is in the center of Aix-en-Provence, it only takes a few minutes on foot to get to the Grand Théâtre de Provence through the pretty little streets of Aix-en-Provence. The city center of Aix-en-Provence is entirely pedestrian.
From the TGV station, take the bus n°40 which will lead you to the bus station located in the center of the city.
If you come by car, the Méjanes and Rotonde car parks are a 5-minute walk from the theatre.
Address: 380 avenue Max Juvénal, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to Grand Théâtre de Provence?

We recommend that you arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of Don Giovanni, and present your voucher at the front desk. Grand Théâtre de Provence’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
In application of the Vigipirate plan, security measures around Festival d'Aix-en-Provence performances have been reinforced. Bags will be visually searched and screened at the entrance to the Grand Théâtre de Provence.
We recommend that you check the dates, times and venues shown on the tickets. Performances start at the time indicated.
Once the theatre doors have closed, you will not be guaranteed entry to the auditorium.
In order not to disturb the smooth running of the performance, latecomers may only be accommodated during an intermission, when it takes place, without any guarantee of the seating shown on the tickets. Some seats do not guarantee the visibility of surtitles or offer reduced visibility.

How long does the opera, Don Giovanni, last?

The opera Don Giovanni at Grand Théâtre de Provence lasts approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, with intermission.

Is Don Giovanni for an international audience or French speakers?

For both! The Grand Théâtre de Provence welcomes spectators from all over the world. The opera Don Giovanni is sung in Italian with English and French surtitles so that all spectators can enjoy the show in the incredible theatre that is the Grand Théâtre de Provence.

Where will I be seated, and will I see the surtitles* properly?

At Grand Théâtre de Provence, there are a maximum of four categories available, each of which provides a comfortable view of the surtitles. The surtitles are projected above and on the sides of the stage.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French “sur” means “above”.

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets for Don Giovanni, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!
Please note that tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session, in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

Is there a dress code at Grand Théâtre de Provence?

There is no specific dress code at Grand Théâtre de Provence, but proper attire is appreciated.

I bought tickets for Don Giovanni and I haven’t received them yet. Is this normal?

Yes, it’s completely normal! Your order will first be created as a pre-booking so that the Grand Théâtre de Provence can assign your seat. You may see a pre-payment on your card, but rest assured that we will not charge your card until your reservation has been validated by the Grand Théâtre de Provence. Once the reservation is confirmed, you will receive your ticket by email.
Due to the large number of requests that the Grand Théâtre de Provence has to manage, this process usually takes two business days, but can take up to six days maximum. After six days if your order has not been validated, it will be cancelled, the pre-charge will disappear, and you will not be charged.