GEORGE FRIDERIC HÄNDEL

The Nutcracker: Family Concerts

14th December 2025 | Holywell Music Room, Oxford

With the Waterperry Opera Festival Wind Quintet and narrator.

On the afternoon of Sunday 14 December, younger audiences and their families can enjoy a magical retelling of The Nutcracker, brought to life by the Waterperry Wind Quintet and narrator. This charming, bite-sized concert features all the musical highlights of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet, the perfect introduction to classical music and a joyous seasonal outing for children and adults alike.

Creative Team

  • Charlotte Politi

    CONDUCTOR

  • John Wilkie

    DIRECTOR

  • Ceci Calf

    DESIGNER

  • Jake Wiltshire

    LIGHTING DESIGNER

Cast

  • Edmund Danon

    DON GIOVANNI

  • Emyr Wyn-Jones

    LEPORELLO

  • Kira Kaplan

    DONNA ANNA

  • Simon Mascarenhas Carter

    DON OTTAVIO

  • Georgia Mae Ellis

    DONNA ELVIRA

  • Jonathan Eyers

    MASETTO

  • Ellie Neate

    ZERLINA

  • Jamie Woollard

    COMMENDATORE

The Music

Mozart’s Don Giovanni is one of the greatest operas ever written; dramatic, playful, and packed with music that grabs you from the very first note. The overture sets the tone brilliantly, shifting between dark intensity and thrilling energy, giving a taste of what’s to come. The score is full of contrasts with seductive melodies, fiery outbursts, and moments of real beauty. The famous duet ‘Là ci darem la mano’ is irresistibly smooth, while ‘Fin ch’han dal vino’ hurtles forward at breakneck speed. And then there’s the spine-tingling finale, where the music itself seems to summon the supernatural.

If you’re new to Don Giovanni, dive into our Spotify playlist and experience some of the opera’s most unforgettable moments.

FAQs

  • Mozart’s Don Giovanni lasts approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, including a 90-minute dining interval.

  • Don Giovanni is a dramma giocoso, meaning it blends comedy and drama. It features moments of humor, but the story ultimately takes a dark turn.

  • Yes! Don Giovanni is one of Mozart’s most famous operas, featuring iconic arias, dramatic storytelling, and thrilling orchestration—a great introduction to opera.

  • At Waterperry Opera Festival, Don Giovanni is performed in English, with no surtitles.

  • Don Giovanni will be performed on the Mainstage in Waterperry Gardens.

  • Don Giovanni is performed on the Mainstage, which has flat paths leading to the venue. Disabled spaces are available to book.