the French musical “Don Juan” concluded a successful five-day run at Sofia’s National Palace of Culture on February 1st, with a final performance scheduled for 3:00 PM. Based on Molière‘s classic tale and featuring music and lyrics by Félix Gray, the production captivated Bulgarian audiences and garnered praise for its blend of Spanish flamenco and modern pop elements. The show, which premiered in 2003 and underwent revisions in 2019-2020, marks a significant cultural event, demonstrating continued international interest in this timeless story of desire and redemption.
The spectacular musical “Don Juan” captivated Bulgarian audiences with five sold-out performances at Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture, with a final show scheduled for 3:00 PM today. The French production, complete with Bulgarian subtitles, ran from January 28th to February 1st, presented by Spectacolis BG.
The legendary musical “Don Juan” is the work of French composer Félix Gray, who wrote the music and lyrics in 2003, drawing inspiration from Molière’s classic tale in an updated version from 2019-2020. The enduring story of Don Juan continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, cementing its place in literary history alongside figures like Don Quixote, Hamlet, and Faust.
Gray explained that he intentionally avoided modernizing the setting, choosing instead to present the story outside of a specific time period. “Don Juan” features numerous stage fights and special effects, enhancing the fantastical elements of the narrative.
“Creating a musical is a long creative process that involves many stages and even challenges. I am delighted that Don Juan is being recreated by a professional and wonderful team – director Gilles Maheu, known for his work on ‘Notre-Dame de Paris,’ brilliant arranger Guy Saint-Onge, and the producers who believed in the project from the beginning.
It is a great joy for me to present our musical in its updated version in beautiful Bulgaria, and I am absolutely delighted,” Gray said.
For eight centuries, Don Juan has embodied desire, standing alongside iconic characters in Western literature. Over 1000 literary and artistic works have been inspired by the figure, captivating generations of artists.
The composer shared that his intention wasn’t to place the action in a modern context, but rather to exist outside of time. The show boasts numerous stage battles and special effects, emphasizing the fantastical nature of the story. The first half of the musical is a celebration of hedonism in Seville, while the second half sees fate tightening its grip with unexpected twists.
“Don Juan is contradictory and confusing. He loves battles, drinking, pleasures, and all crazy things. But when we talk about Don Juan, no one knows what he really wanted. We don’t even know if he was really happy. In the musical, we filled him with complex and endless emotions, such as love and hate, friendship and paternal love, betrayal and jealousy, loss and glory,” said Gian Marco Schiaretti, who plays the title role, adding that his own first love influenced his performance.
“Don Juan lived a ruthless life. Once he finds true love, he becomes like a child, begins to learn about love and its value, and finally realizes his mistakes and gently shows repentance. This can be seen as a process of change.”
The musical features 38 iconic carnival hits with catchy, impactful melodies. The passionate fusion of Spanish flamenco and French modern pop music, with intense emotions driving the inner world of the characters, makes the musical an exceptionally powerful drama. A cast of over 60 performers, including 15 dancers, 11 singers, and two flamenco musicians, bring the production to life. The choreography is entirely Spanish, heavily influenced by flamenco, with the dancers embodying the art form’s grace in every movement.
Gian Marco Schiaretti as Don Juan
Source: Spectaculis BG
“I think the most important part of flamenco is the voice and the energy that comes from the heart, because this musical talks about love, passion, sadness, and essence,” says Carlos Rodriguez, the show’s choreographer.
The show’s passionate musical and dance performances offer a Spanish flair, despite its French origins, including impressive, rhythmic, and dreamy flamenco dance sequences, vibrant guitar tones, and other Spanish musical elements. “French musicals are often filled with intense and strong expressions of emotions from beginning to end. This is both Latin American culture and French culture – to bring something very emotional to the audience,” says producer Nicolas Talar.
“In this city and in this country, you really feel how much people love theater and how strongly they want to see different shows,” Gian Marco Schiaretti told BTA, in conversation with Daniel Dimitrov – about his roles in “Don Juan” and how they have developed over the years, whether it is a trap or a sure success to play in this musical, about the preparation and rehearsals before each performance, what he thinks is the success of this French production.
“Don Juan” was an immediate hit after its premiere, a testament to its stunning sets, dramatic lighting, and numerous stage duels and vibrant special effects that amplify the story’s fantastical dimension. The production has enjoyed significant success in France and South Korea, and experienced a triumph in Canada, with a total of 200 performances across Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, and Ottawa, reaching 350,000 viewers. The “Don Juan” album has also sold 300,000 copies, with the songs “Fun” and “Women” topping Canadian charts for several weeks, and Gilles Maheu receiving an award for best director.
“In this city and in this country, you really feel how much people love theater and how strongly they want to see different shows,” Italian performer Gian Marco Schiaretti told BTA.
Gian Marco Schiaretti as Don Juan
Source: Spectaculis BG
“The success of ‘Don Juan’ is very simple to explain,” Schiaretti said. “The music is wonderful. We have an extremely strong flamenco troupe – one of the best in the world. In addition, the identity of the characters on stage is very clearly and strongly defined, so the audience can easily identify with what is happening. All these elements together make the show successful.”
“‘Don Juan’ is a successful show because it talks about love. It is a very strong story about a beautiful man who is, however, deeply confused, and who changes. I think that is his second chance. And all people need a second chance in life,” said Letizia Carrère.
Letizia Carrère as Maria and Gian Marco Schiaretti as Don Juan
Source: Spectaculis BG
Gian Marco Schiaretti and Letizia Carrère for BTA, in conversation with Daniel Dimitrov – about their roles in “Don Juan” and how they have developed over the years, whether playing in this musical is a trap or a sure success, about the preparation and rehearsals before each performance, what they think is the success of this French production.
– Mr. Schiaretti, you are not new to Sofia, we know you from “Notre-Dame de Paris”, and before that from another show. What is the difference between these performances?
– Gian Marco Schiaretti: This is actually my third time here. Two years ago, I was in Sofia with a gala concert of French musicals, which was the opening event for “Notre-Dame de Paris” a year later.
I am always pleasantly surprised when I come to Sofia and go on stage here, because the audience is incredible. In this city and in this country, you really feel how much people love theater and how strongly they want to see different shows. “Notre-Dame de Paris” was a huge success, and now I look forward to seeing how “Don Juan” will be received by the audience.
Letizia Carrère as Maria
Source: Spectaculis BG
– Letizia, you are here for the first time. Would you like to introduce yourself briefly.
– Letizia Carrère: I have been doing this profession since I was 20 years old. I have been singing, playing and dancing all my life. I started when I was six. For me, this is the best job I can do. Art is extremely important in my life.
I think people in this world need art and love.
– How many times have you played your roles and how have they developed over the years?
– Gian Marco Schiaretti: I started playing in this show about three years ago. We were supposed to start earlier, but the pandemic stopped everything. I can say that there are no two identical performances. Every one is different. I myself am curious to discover what will happen on stage – in relation to the energy of my colleagues, my friends. So let’s see – who knows.
– Letizia Carrère: I have been playing Maria in “Don Juan” for more than two years. Félix Gray met me in Saint Tropez, France. He heard me sing and asked if I would like to participate in his show. I said, “Yes, of course.” Then I met the whole team.
– Is a role like this a trap or a sure success?
– Gian Marco Schiaretti: Don Juan is a mixture of clichés that people are used to perceiving him with, away from the redemption of the hero himself.
In the second act, after the punishment he receives from the Commander, whom he killed in the first act, he experiences true love for the first time.
Then a new journey begins, filled with passion, in search of real feelings and authentic emotions in life.
– Letizia Carrère: Maria, my character, is very independent and very modern. In addition, she is the best part of the show. When I appear on stage, everything changes – love and harmony come.
I think the audience feels this – as soon as I come out, everyone says: “Okay, now Don Juan is getting better.” Peace comes…
– What is the preparation like before each performance? Do you have many rehearsals?
– Letizia Carrère: Yes, of course. We have many rehearsals with the director and with Félix Gray, because it is extremely important for the author that every sentence sounds exactly as he wants it.
This is very personal for him. I work with friends on stage and it is important for us to be connected, because we experience the same story. Now we are friends, but at the beginning we had to get to know each other better.
– Gian Marco Schiaretti: I usually start with warming up the body, then the voice. Then comes makeup and wig. Then I do another 20 minutes of vocal warm-up and then I am ready to go on stage.
Gian Marco Schiaretti as Don Juan
Source: Spectaculis BG
– What, in your opinion, is the secret to the success of the show “Don Juan”?
– Gian Marco Schiaretti: The success is very simple to explain.
The music is wonderful. We have an extremely strong flamenco troupe – one of the best in the world. In addition, the identity of the characters on stage is very clearly and strongly defined, so the audience can easily identify with what is happening. All these elements together make the show successful.
– Letizia Carrère: “Don Juan” is a successful show because it talks about love.
It is a very strong story about a beautiful man who is, however, deeply confused, and who changes. I think that is his second chance. And all people need a second chance in life.
Interview by Daniel DIMITROV
More
