The first "Don Giovanni" I've ever seen, so maybe that's why I love it so much. It's almost perfect. Herbert von Karajan is great (how could it be otherwise!). Everyone of the cast is wonderful. Anna Tomowa-Sintow is tragic and passionate, Kathleen Battle sweet, merry and innocent, and Julia Varady best of them three. The way she sings her second act aria! No one ever did it better. Feruccio Furlanetto is the best Leporello I've ever heard and seen. But of course the most important is Don Giovanni. Samuel Ramey sings absolutely wonderful and acts even better. He is both charming and bold as Don Giovanni ought to be. Just hear it and watch it.
2 Reviews
One of the best Don Giovannis I've seen
TheLittleSongbird14 June 2011
I love opera, I love Mozart and I love Don Giovanni. Then there is Herbert Von Karajan(one of my favourite conductors), Anna Tomowa-Sintow(who I was introduced to with 1984's Simon Boccanegra opposite Milnes and Plishka, what a treat that was), Kathaleen Battle(processor of a light, elegant voice), Samuel Ramey(a powerful singer and actor, and the best ever Attila to me) and Julia Varady(who I also like very much).
Seeing so much talent on board made all the ingredients for a successful production. And successful it was, in fact one of my favourite Don Giovanni's alongside the terrific 1979 Joseph Losey film. I love how characteristically dark it all is, the sets are dark and foreboding, yet the camera work is wonderful and skillful and the costumes are elegant. The production also does so well to stage such a complex opera, so many scenes are well done but the scene at the end with the Commendatore never fails to give me goosebumps.
What I have loved always about Don Giovanni is several things. There is a great story, that is dark and complex without being too convoluted. There are the memorable characters, not just Don Giovanni who is probably the most vivid title character in a Mozart opera due to what the role demands, but also Donna Anna, Elvira, Zerlina, Ottavio, Leporello, Massetto and the Commendatore(quite a small role in comparison but significant). And best of all, Mozart's sublime music, from the overture, Batti Batti, La Ci Darem La Mano, the famous Champagne aria and the final scene.
Karajan's conducting is truly remarkable, and the orchestra play with real style and finesse. The performances are exceptional. Anna Tomowa Sintow is probably the least effective of the cast, but she is still great with her beautiful limpid voice and her success in bringing out the tragedy and passion of Donna Anna. Kathaleen Battle stands out as an elegant and warm Zerlina and Julia Varady is a charming Elvira while showing some spite too. Gosta Winbergh's Ottavio is performed with effortless ease, almost as if Winbergh knows the role inside out, and Ferruccio Furlanetto is an effective Leporello. Best of all is Samuel Ramey's Don Giovanni who proves why he is considered such an outstanding singing-actor. As well as a rich noble voice and commanding presence, he makes Giovanni charming as well as devilish.
Overall, a brilliant Don Giovanni and one of the best I've seen. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Seeing so much talent on board made all the ingredients for a successful production. And successful it was, in fact one of my favourite Don Giovanni's alongside the terrific 1979 Joseph Losey film. I love how characteristically dark it all is, the sets are dark and foreboding, yet the camera work is wonderful and skillful and the costumes are elegant. The production also does so well to stage such a complex opera, so many scenes are well done but the scene at the end with the Commendatore never fails to give me goosebumps.
What I have loved always about Don Giovanni is several things. There is a great story, that is dark and complex without being too convoluted. There are the memorable characters, not just Don Giovanni who is probably the most vivid title character in a Mozart opera due to what the role demands, but also Donna Anna, Elvira, Zerlina, Ottavio, Leporello, Massetto and the Commendatore(quite a small role in comparison but significant). And best of all, Mozart's sublime music, from the overture, Batti Batti, La Ci Darem La Mano, the famous Champagne aria and the final scene.
Karajan's conducting is truly remarkable, and the orchestra play with real style and finesse. The performances are exceptional. Anna Tomowa Sintow is probably the least effective of the cast, but she is still great with her beautiful limpid voice and her success in bringing out the tragedy and passion of Donna Anna. Kathaleen Battle stands out as an elegant and warm Zerlina and Julia Varady is a charming Elvira while showing some spite too. Gosta Winbergh's Ottavio is performed with effortless ease, almost as if Winbergh knows the role inside out, and Ferruccio Furlanetto is an effective Leporello. Best of all is Samuel Ramey's Don Giovanni who proves why he is considered such an outstanding singing-actor. As well as a rich noble voice and commanding presence, he makes Giovanni charming as well as devilish.
Overall, a brilliant Don Giovanni and one of the best I've seen. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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