The Benevolence Opera Project and Redwood Theatre will present Mozart’s iconic opera Don Giovanni in support of the Redwood Women’s Shelter. The one-night-only opera event takes place on May 22 at Redwood Theatre.

Benevolence Opera Project is a new organization, founded by Artistic Director Ryan Hofman, dedicated to combining high-quality opera productions with community engagement and support for meaningful causes. Each production is paired with a social theme—in this case, domestic violence—and a corresponding charitable partnership to raise both awareness and funds.

This model has proven highly effective. In September, during La Bohème on Tap, it partnered with the Daily Bread Food Bank and raised enough through ticket sales and a raffle to provide over 800 meals.

For Don Giovanni Canadian Baritone Alexander Hajek takes on the titular role, leading a cast made up of some of Canada’s finest up-and-coming operatic talent in Mozart’s masterpiece, where seduction, power, and consequence collide.

The Cast:

Alexander Hajek: Don Giovanni

Baritone Alexander Hajek began learning his craft at the St. Michael’s Choir School and The Royal Conservatory, followed by Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at The Juilliard School. He is also a graduate of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio and the young artist program of the SemperOper in Dresden. He’s performed extensively in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Currently based in Toronto, he is a co-founder of Opera Revue.

Luke Noftall: Leporello

Bass-baritone Luke Noftall earned both a Bachelor of Voice Performance and a Master of Music in Opera Performance at the University of Toronto. He performed in several UofT productions, including singing the roles of Mr. Choufleuri in Monsieur Choufleuri, Dr. Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Top in Aaron Copland’s The Tender Land, and Jacques I in A Tale of Two Cities. He is also a graduate of the McPhee Artist Development Program at Calgary Opera and has performed several roles with Calgary Opera. He has also performed with Southern Ontario Lyric Opera.

James Coole-Stevenson: Masetto

James Coole-Stevenson completed a Master's in Opera performance at the University of Toronto, and participated in the Gate City Bank Fargo-Moorhead Young Artist Program, and Manitoba Opera’s Digital Emerging Artists Program. James has been studying at The Royal Conservatory as a Rebanks Fellow for the 2025/26 season. His operatic roles include Sydney Carton in Arthur Benjamin’s A Tale Of Two Cities, Demetrius in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Don Giovanni in Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Cameron Mazzei: Don Ottavio

Tenor Cameron Mazzei earned both his Bachelor of Music Performance invoice and Master’s degree in Music Literature & Performance at Western University, followed by a Diploma of Operatic Performance at the University of Toronto. He has performed with Toronto City Opera, Opera by Request, and with Apocryphonia Concerts, and the Oakville Symphony, among others.

Andrew Tees: Commendatore

Baritone Andrew Tees has performed for the Canadian Opera Company, Pacific Opera Victoria, Cleveland Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, Vancouver Opera, Opera Ontario, Opera York, and as a frequent guest of Maritime Concert Opera, among others. He has also sung in pops concerts with the Toronto Symphony, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Windsor Symphony, Oakville Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic, Oshawa Symphony, Guelph Symphony, and as an operatic soloist with the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra, and many other ensembles.

Mary Ferrari: Donna Elvira

Mary (Ji Hyeon) Ferrari is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, and is currently based in Toronto. While at MSM, she performed in the title role of Poppea in L’incoronazione di Poppea, alongside a succession of opera and musical-theatre credits. She maintains an international career that includes appearances throughout Italy, United States, South Korea, and Canada, including a special diplomatic invitation to perform with the Sovereign Order of Malta at the Vatican. In Toronto, she is regularly featured and performs as a soloist with Toronto Korean Canadian Choir Company.

Holly Chaplin: Donna Anna

Holly Chaplin is a Toronto-based lyric coloratura soprano. She began her musical training with High Park Choirs of Toronto under the direction of Ann Cooper-Gay and later Zimfira Poloz, alongside piano studies with Ann Fortier. A graduate of York University (BFA Honours), she studied with Stephanie Bogle and is currently a member of Frédérique Vézina’s studio. Holly has appeared with companies including Opera in Concert, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera York, Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Choral Society, Orchestra Toronto, and Opera by Request. Featured roles include Gilda (Rigoletto), Violetta (La Traviata), Josephine (H.M.S. Pinafore), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), and Isabelle (Robert le Diable). In addition to her performance career, Holly maintains a private teaching studio and leads classes at School of Rock Markham. She is a recipient of the Stuart Hamilton Memorial Foundation Award and an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition

Kathryn Rose Johnston: Zerlina

Soprano Kathryn Rose Johnston was selected as a finalist in both the National Auditions for the Atelier Lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal and the 2023 National Capital Opera Society Competition. She was also a First Prize Winner in the American International Vocal Competition in Cleveland, Ohio. She recently performed the role of Zerlina with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and, in recital as a soloist, at the Heliconian Club with the Fonitika Vocal Ensemble that she co-founded.

Brahm Goldhamer – Musical Director & Pianist

Vocal Coach and accompanist Brahm Goldhamer is the Artistic Director of the Opera Ensemble program at The Glenn Gould School. He has performed extensively as an accompanist with a wide range of opera singers, as well as a soloist in recital.

Ryan Hofman – Narrator & Producer

Ryan Hofman earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Opera from the University of Ottawa, followed by a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in Voice and Opera from the University of British Columbia. He is a two-time finalist in the Brian Law Competition. Ryan also studied Music Business at Humber College and serves as the Artistic Consultant and Outreach Officer at Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, New Opera Lyra, and Opera York.

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This is an entirely self-funded project, without grants. Ticket sales only cover a portion of the costs. While we hope to donate a portion of ticket sales to the Redwood Shelter, we also aim to raise funds through GoFundMe to pay the singers a professional rate while supporting a worthwhile cause. You can donate here: gofund.me

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Don Giovanni

Time & Location

May 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

The Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard St E, Toronto

For tickets and information visit www.theredwoodtheatre.com