V24 Don Giovanni is arising in Phnom Penh by All Dreams Cambodia

PHNOM PENH INTERNATIONAL OPERA FESTIVAL 2025 presents DON GIOVANNI

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART

THE FESTIVAL

The Phnom Penh International Opera Festival 2025 marks a new era of cultural collaboration and artistic ambition in Cambodia. This year's edition features Mozart's Don Giovanni; produced by All Dreams Cambodia and N&A Cambodia, with the active participation of the Cambodia Opera Project artistic team.

The Cambodia Opera Project was initiated by a Japanese opera artist and leader who, inspired by the warmth of the Khmer people and their famous smile, launched a unique cultural collaboration in the Kingdom, enjoying strong support from Japan and Italy right from the start. Japanese artists and orchestras have provided expertise and orchestral support, while the Italian Embassy and Italian cultural associations have played a key role in funding and artistic direction, particularly for flagship productions such as Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci and Madama Butterfly.

After three sold-out productions in 2018, 2019, and 2023, the festival now presents its most ambitious event yet: Mozart’s Don Giovanni. For the first time in Phnom Penh, there will be two days of performances, marking a significant milestone in Cambodia’s cultural landscape. The project team has expanded to foster deeper collaboration, uniting over 80 performers from around the world and nurturing local talent through education and mentorship.

This festival is fully aligned with Cambodia’s strategy for cultural diplomacy and supports the nation’s emergence as a regional cultural platform, especially as Cambodia prepares to host the XXth Francophonie Summit in 2026. To mark the occasion, the festival will present Puccini’s La Bohème, an opera deeply connected to French culture, further strengthening ties with the Francophone world.

The 2025 production will also be Cambodia’s first carbon-neutral opera, setting a new benchmark for sustainable cultural events. By supporting this initiative, sponsors and partners contribute to both an unforgettable artistic experience and the shaping of Cambodia’s future cultural identity.

A WORLD FIRST

Become a partner of Phnom Penh International Festival 2025 and be part of history as we present Don Giovanni in a way no opera has ever been staged before.

Every carbon emission, from the stage lights to the journey to the theater, will be measured and offset, setting a new global standard for sustainable culture.

WHY IT MATTERS

Most venues claim carbon neutrality but ignore audience travel. We include it all, proving that world-class performance and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

 A simple online tool shows you the impact of our public

 Transparent carbon offset projects

 A unique opportunity to be at the forefront of change

Support Don Giovanni in Phnom Penh, the world’s first fully carbon-neutral opera, and you can say:

“I was there when opera changed forever.”

DON GIOVANNI – THE OPERA THAT SETS A NEW BENCHMARK.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

ADAPTING OPERA INNOVATION FOR MOZART'S DON GIOVANNI

Innovation and personalization are often buzzwords, but opera is a completely unique art form that demands a different approach. Unlike other artistic expressions, opera requires a sophisticated mediation process involving all the players - conductor, director, soloists, orchestra, chorus and the entire production team. This collaboration is what makes each production unique, integrating the sensitivities and emotional nuances behind every initiative, every gesture, every look and every musical phrase.

THE COLLABORATIVE GENESIS OF DON GIOVANNI

The director, working in close collaboration with the conductor, must thoroughly understand the genesis of the work and all that inspired the composer to create and compose. For instance, Mozart's "Don Giovanni" represents a perfect balance between comedy and tragedy, a "dramma giocoso" that revolutionized operatic composition in the late 18th century. Mozart, deeply interested in human psychology and moral complexity, created in Don Giovanni a character who embodies libertinism and defiance against social order and divine judgment. This character exists at the intersection of Enlightenment thinking and traditional morality, reflected in both the orchestration and the libretto.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPTH OF MOZART'S VISION

Unlike Puccini's Orientalism in "Butterfly," Mozart was drawn to the exploration of human nature's darker impulses and their consequences. His fascination with the Don Juan legend ignited his poetics toward themes of seduction, betrayal, and ultimate retribution. The musical language he developed captures both the charm of the libertine and the gravity of his moral failings. This duality reflects the tension between individual freedom and social responsibility, between hedonism and morality a tension brilliantly conveyed through Mozart's revolutionary blend of comic and tragic elements within a single work.

A UNIQUE INTERPRETATIVE CHALLENGE

Therefore, when approaching "Don Giovanni," innovation and personalization take on profound dimensions that honor the work's inherent complexity. It's crucial to recognize this opera's unique nature as both entertainment and moral examination. "Don Giovanni" is not merely a performance but a collaborative philosophical inquiry that involves the entire creative team, with the audience serving as essential witnesses to the protagonist's downfall.

ABOUT "DON GIOVANNI"

Behind his boldness and his unbridled pursuit of women, it is God, men and the order of the world that Don Giovanni mocks and defies. It is in this respect that his downfall is inevitable, and his punishment devastating. Mozart's opera says it all with irrepressible force.

Don Giovanni is the quintessence of Mozart's genius, a kind of absolute of the genre, where the high and the low of human nature rub shoulders, where the tragic and the grotesque, the sublime and the derisory, spiritual impulses and the pleasures of the flesh flirt. All set to the most divine music ever written. The kind that made Richard Wagner call Don Giovanni “the opera of operas”.

 Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

 Librettist: Lorenzo da Ponte

 Premiere: 1787

 Place of creation: Czech Republic

 Number of acts: 2

 Original language: Italian

 The production of Wolfgang Amadeus

Mozart's “Don Giovanni” in Phnom

Penh has the support of His Majesty

Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia.

PRODUCTORS

CURRENT SUPPORTERS

Bangkok

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

BECOME A PARTNER AND BE PART OF HISTORY AS WE PRESENT THE WORLD’S FIRST FULLY CARBON-NEUTRAL OPERA!

 VINCENZO

GRISOSTOMI TRAVAGLINI Director

Vincenzo, a renowned Italian opera director, has captivated audience's world wide by bringing classical masterpieces to new horizons.

His collaborative efforts have graced Phnom Penh with the acclaimed production of Madama Butterfly in 2023.

Excitingly, Vincenzo is set to helm several upcoming operas in Cambodia, including the classics Don Giovanni in 2025, La Bohème in 2026 to commemorate the 20th Francophonie Summit, and the timeless La Traviata in 2027.

THE TEAM

 HH PRINCE SISOWATH

RAVIVADDHANA

MONIPONG

Assistant

Director

His Highness Prince Sisowath Ravivaddhana Monipong, also known as Prince Ravi or the “Italian Prince”, played a significant role in the Cambodian premiere of Madama Butterfly. It was a continuation of his longstanding collaboration with Vincenzo, which began in 2010 and has included various lyric productions in Europe and Asia. His participation in this production not only added a unique Cambodian perspective but also helped to create a harmonious blend of cultures.

 JACQUES

GUICHANDUT Production Director

Managing Director of DMC All Dreams Cambodia, Jacques has spent decades promoting the country's heritage and encouraging sustainable tourism. He has also supported projects that enhance Cambodia's image abroad. His belief in the transformative power of art and culture as tourism development tools played a key role in his decision to produce “Don Giovanni”.

Such a production not only enriches the Cambodian cultural scene, but also positions the country as a new stage for world-class performances, attracting international attention.



GABRIELE FAJA Honorary Advisor

Gabriele is an award-winning pianist with a Master's from the London Royal College of Music, and a serial entrepreneur spanning digital, education, events, F&B, and the arts. As the founder and CEO of Soundskool Music, he has been a pivotal figure in developing Cambodia’s music performance and education scenes. His extensive contributions include a decadelong sponsorship of the classical series at Raffles Le Royal, and serving as Production Director for Madama Butterfly in 2023. Bridging culture and business, Gabriele is also Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Business Chamber.

 JUN IISAKA Conductor

Jun is a distinguished Japanese opera conductor, repetiteur, and producer with extensive experience at the New National Theatre Tokyo for over 20 years.He has contributed to over 100 productions, including many Japanese premieres.

Internationally, he has expanded his activities to Asia, notably serving as Music Director and Conductor for Cambodia’s first full-scale opera productions: Cavalleria Rusticana (2018) and Pagliacci (2019), and as Japan Musical Director for Madama Butterfly (2023).

In addition, he actively mentor young musicians and fosters cross-cultural collaboration in opera production.



AI IWASAKI

Art Director & Casting

Ai is a prominent figure in the opera world, known for her contributions as both an artist and a leader.

In 2018, she founded the Cambodia Opera Project, serving as Executive Producer and Artistic Director. She has played a central role in the development of Cambodia’s operatic scene, performing important roles in Cavalleria Rusticana (2018), Pagliacci (2019), and Madama Butterfly (2023), while also overseeing the productions’ artistic direction.

In addition, she has contributed to the education of young artists as a voice instructor at the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh.

ROMYDA KETH

THOMAS JAFFRE

Costum & Decor

Romyda & Thomas form a dynamic creative partnership for the Cambodia Opera Project.

Romyda, celebrated Cambodian designer and founder of Ambre, creates elegant women’s costumes inspired by Khmer silk and local craftsmanship. For Don Giovanni, she leads the women’s costume design, while Thomas, with a Parisian background and years of collaboration with Romyda, designs the men’s costumes.

Together, they will also create the opera’s décor, ensuring a cohesive and striking visual experience that celebrates Cambodian artistry.



TH E CA S T

CIRO GIORDANO

ORSINI

Don Giovanni Baritone

Italian

MARIA TOMASSI

Donna Anna Soprano Italian

Don Ottavio

Tenor

Italian

HIDEYA

MASUHARA

Leporello Bass

Japanese

YASKO FUJII

Donna Elvira

Soprano

Japanese

TETSURO SATO

Il Commendatore

Bass

Japanese

AI IWASAKI

Zerlina

Soprano

Japanese

GENTA FUJIOKA

Masetto Bass

Japanese

SETHISAK

KHUON

Tenor

Cambodian

ENRICO TERRONE GUERRA

TH E SHOW

Under the artistic direction of HRH Prince Ravivaddhana Monipong Sisowath and renowned director Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini, the Don Giovanni to be staged in Phnom Penh promises to be cosmopolitan and unique.

In addition to a magnificent Italian, Japanese and Cambodian cast who will bring the characters to life, more than 80 international and local artists will take part in the show.

A 40-strong symphony orchestra - including the talented musicians of the Angkor Youth Orchestra Association - will perform under the baton of renowned Japanese conductor Jun Iisaka. The 20voice chorus will add further depth to the production. The staging of Don Giovanni will be enhanced by the presence of circus and dance artists from Phare Ponleu Selpak, giving it a unique and captivating dimension.

PROFIT ALLOCATION

The Don Giovanni Profit Distribution Plan offers a comprehensive and impactful approach to managing production proceeds, aligning with industry best practices and prioritizing fairness, sustainability, and community engagement.

 TRAINING PROJECTS (30%)

Supports ongoing education, training, and cultural development to ensure sustainability and capacity building.

 ARTISTS (20%)

Distributed among directors, cast, and other artistic contributors based on a transparent point-based system.

 FUTURE PERFORMANCES RESERVE (20%)

Sets aside funds for future productions to provide financial stability and manage fluctuations in funding or ticket sales.

 PRODUCER (20%)

Recognizes financial risks, project management, and organizational leadership.

 NGO AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES (10%)

Dedicated to charitable and communityfocused projects to reinforce social responsibility and community goodwill.

THE VENUE

2,000 seats

The annual organization of the opera at Naba Theatre @ Naga2 pursues several strategic missions and objectives:

 Promote Cambodia’s Cultural Soft Power

By hosting a world-renowned opera like Don Giovanni in a prestigious venue, the event aims to position Cambodia as a hub for high-level cultural events in Southeast Asia, enhancing the country’s international image and influence through culture.

 Showcase Naba Theatre as a Premier Cultural Venue

Making the opera a yearly tradition at Naba Theatre reinforces its status as a leading stage for the performing arts in the region.

 Attract International Audiences and Opera Lovers

Special agreements with airlines will allow the creation of exclusive packages (including reduced airfares and event access) to encourage opera enthusiasts from across Southeast Asia and beyond to attend. This initiative is designed to make Naba Theatre a destination for cultural tourism and to foster a loyal audience base for opera in the region.

NABA THEATRE @ NAGA2

 Engage Specialist Press and Influencers

Inviting international specialist media and cultural influencers will amplify the event’s visibility and prestige, generating coverage that can reach new audiences and further promote Cambodia as a cultural destination.

 Support the Development of Local Arts and Infrastructure

The annual opera serves as a catalyst for improving the technical facilities of Naba Theatre, with the goal of transforming it into a venue of international renown for live performance. This contributes to the professionalization of the local arts sector and supports broader cultural development.

 Create a Sustainable Cultural Calendar

The opera is envisioned as a cornerstone of a broader, annually recurring cultural calendar at Naba Theatre, alongside other major events such as the Royal Choral Award. This regular programming will help structure and sustain Phnom Penh’s cultural life, making it more attractive to both local and international audiences.

In summary, the mission is to establish an unmissable annual cultural event that elevates Cambodia’s profile, attracts international visitors, and contributes to the country’s cultural and economic dynamism—all while celebrating and enhancing the prestige of Naba Theatre and Cambodian arts.

DON GIOVANNI by

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart