Don Giovanni Lights Up Tijuana: Mozart And Opera Arrive At The Casa De La Cultura

In an adaptation that weaves together universal themes such as freedom, abuse of power, desire, and its consequences, the opera Don Giovanni will come to Tijuana on September 19 and 20 at the Teatro de la Casa de la Cultura, performed by Tijuana baritone Carlos Gutiérrez Valenzuela, accompanied by an international cast.

An Immortal Work by Mozart

Premiered in 1787 at the Estates Theatre in Prague, Don Giovanni is considered one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s most complex and profound operas. Its rich blend of music and drama has made it a universal classic, capable of intertwining tragedy, comedy, and philosophy on a single stage. For more than two centuries, it has been performed in the world’s greatest theaters, captivating generations with its intensity.

This presentation marks part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of Ópera de Tijuana, reinforcing the importance of keeping cultural traditions alive along the border.

Production and Cast

Stage direction and production will be led by Arturo Rodríguez Torres, founder of the Compañía Ópera de México, while the baton will be held by acclaimed conductor Iván Mares.

The cast features voices from across regions:

Donna Elvira: Carla Portillo (Chihuahua)
Donna Anna: Norma Navarrete (Tijuana)
Don Ottavio: Alberto Estañol (Mexicali)
Zerlina: Denisse Elorza
Masetto: Rodolfo Jiménez
Commendatore: Guillermo Montecino

The instrumental ensemble will include violinists Hemily Santa Ana (Sonora) and David Palomino (Peru), violist Aldo Ruiz (Tijuana), cellist Érick Panduro, and double bassist Christian Galicia. The performance will also feature a regional choir of 10 voices and pianist Ifigenia Lejarza from Costa Rica.

Carlos Gutiérrez Valenzuela, the Voice of Don Giovanni

Tijuana-born baritone Carlos Gutiérrez Valenzuela will take on the lead role. A graduate of the first generation of the Ja’sit School of Scenic-Vocal Training, he has built his career under the mentorship of international performers such as Rogelio Marín, Carlo Colombara, and Genaro Sulvarán.

With performances in Mexico and the United States, Gutiérrez Valenzuela has embodied roles such as Silvio in Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, The Husband in Menotti’s Amelia Goes to the Ball, and Sharpless in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. His portrayal of Don Giovanni marks a milestone in his career—not only for the vocal demands of the role but also because it represents his return to Tijuana’s cultural stage with one of Mozart’s most significant works.

Don Giovanni in Tijuana: Event Details

Dates: September 19 and 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Casa de la Cultura de Tijuana, Col. Altamira
Tickets: 300 pesos, available at the box office or by phone at (664) 368 9948

The Importance of Theater on the Border

Beyond the performance itself, Don Giovanni arrives as a reminder of the theater’s role as a cultural meeting ground. Opera—through its fusion of music, voice, and drama—is not just an artistic experience, but a mirror of the human condition, of its passions and contradictions.

In a city like Tijuana, where multiple identities converge, this performance also symbolizes the unifying power of art: bringing together voices, traditions, and sensibilities on one stage.

Because a city without art is a city without life, the invitation is open to experience a night where Mozart guides us through a timeless journey.