12 October 2011
Peter Mattei to Replace Injured Mariusz Kwiecien in First Three Performances of Met's New Don Giovanni Production
Peter Mattei will sing the title role in the premiere performances of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Don Giovanni the company announced today. Mattei, who is currently at the Met singing Figaro in the company's revival of Il Barbiere di Siviglia, replaces Mariusz Kwiecien in Mozart's opera for the first three performances of the new production, which play on October 13, 17 and 22.
Kwiecien injured his back at the final dress rehearsal on Monday and reportedly underwent surgery on Tuesday for a herniated disc. His manager, William Guerri, of Columbia Artists Management, told the New York Times on Tuesday that "the doctors feel that Mariusz's prognosis is excellent," though the Polish baritone's return to the stage remained a "wait-and-see proposition."
Mattei, who last performed Mozart's Don at the Met during the company's 2008-09 season, also opens Teatro alla Scala's season in a new production of Don Giovanni on December 7.
Rodion Pogossov will replace Mattei in October 11 and 14 performances of Barbiere, as well as continue with his previously scheduled performances as Figaro on October 26, 29, February 4, 8, 11, 15 and 18. The Met has yet to announce who will assume the title role in Giovanni performances on October 25 and 29.
The Met's new production of Don Giovanni is directed by Michael Grandage and will be conducted by the company's principal conductor Fabio Luisi. The performances star Marina Rebeka in her company debut as Donna Anna, Barbara Frittoli as Donna Elvira, Mojca Erdmann as Zerlina, Ramón Vargas as Don Ottavio, Luca Pisaroni as Leporello, Joshua Bloom as Masetto and Štefan Kocán as the Commendatore. 
More information can be found at The Metropolitan Opera.
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