Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s popular opera returns to the repertoire of the Hungarian State Opera for six performances between 9 and 17 May 2026, with a new cast and several notable debuts. In the internationally acclaimed production by Claus Guth, first staged in 2024, the performances are conducted by Gábor Hontvári. The double cast features several artists making their debuts in Don Giovanni, including Zsolt Haja and Csaba Sándor.
The production known for its modern psychological approach presents the protagonist’s fatal journey not merely as a moral parable, but as the dramatic story of a personality at odds with itself. In the interpretation of Claus Guth, a defining figure of the world’s leading opera houses, Don Giovanni is not simply a seducer, but a figure reflecting upon his own life.
In the title role, Zsolt Haja appears on the stage of the Hungarian State Opera for the first time, having made his debut as Don Giovanni a decade earlier at the Erkel Theatre. His loyal and often ironic servant Leporello is portrayed by Csaba Sándor, who is also making his debut in the role.
In the role of Donna Anna, searching for her father’s murderer, two Chamber Singers of the OPERA, Gabriella Balga and Orsolya Sáfár make their role debuts. As Donna Elvira, both Mária Celeng and Lilla Horti appear for the first time at the Opera House; while Mária Celeng has previously sung the role with great success at the Gärtnerplatztheater, Lilla Horti takes on the role of the abandoned noblewoman for the first time.
While István Rácz (Commendatore) and István Horváth (Don Ottavio) bring considerable experience from earlier productions, Opera Studio member Anija Lobard makes her debut as Zerlina. Returning from the 2024 Opera House premiere of Claus Guth’s production are Károly Szemerédy (Don Giovanni), Krisztián Cser (Leporello), Artúr Szeleczki (Don Ottavio), Bence Pataki (Masetto), and Boglárka Brindás (Zerlina).
The musical realisation also promises an exciting novelty: the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus are conducted in an opera production for the first time by Gábor Hontvári. The award-winning conductor, primarily active in Germany, has previously conducted Mozart’s work at the Mainfranken Theater in Würzburg, and is therefore well acquainted with both the musical and dramatic layers of the work.
The Hungarian State Opera’s 2026 Don Giovanni series offers audiences a combination of fresh debuts, returning artists, and a distinctive directorial concept. Mozart’s opera is performed six times during the season: 9, 10, 12, 15, and 16 May.
Photo by Valter Berecz
