A scene from Oz Opera's Don Giovanni which plays at the Lighthouse Theatre tonight.
WARRNAMBOOL may be a far cry from 1950s Italy but Don Giovanni will still leave women gasping for more when he seduces the Lighthouse Theatre tonight.
The Oz Opera production of Mozart's classic will mesmerise a south-west audience with its sexy decadence as part of a three-month tour through Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.
Director Michael Gow has taken opera's version of Casanova on the road with a double cast that alternates members between lead roles and chorus in each performance.
Opera Australia principal artist Luke Gabbedy will play Don Giovanni tonight, in what he described as a "morality tale" that gives his character his "comeuppance" for womanising.
Mozart's world-renowned work has been modernised to mid 20th-century Italy with a "mafia-type feel to it", Gabbedy said.
It follows Don Giovanni, who spends his days indulging in the best food, women and champagne, before discovering expensive taste and promiscuity has a downside as a series of previous romantic conquests resurface to take their revenge.
Gabbedy said the show had so far been well-received , impressing both opera connoisseurs and first-time audiences.
"Oz Opera is designed specifically for performances in provincial areas," he told The Standard.
"This will be just as good as seeing an opera at the Sydney Opera House or one of the big theatres.
"It has all the sets, it's fully costumed, there's a 10-piece orchestra it's not lacking in any of the qualities. People who have seen a lot of opera should be extremely satisfied with this production."
Mr Gow also recommended the performance to a wide audience.
"If you've never been to the opera before, this is a great one," he said.
"It's got the big operatic numbers, a very famous duet, some comedy and a great twist at the end."
Don Giovanni will amp up the charm from 7.30pm.
bziegeler@standard.fairfax.com.au