Mozart: Don Giovanni - DVD

ENGLISH

Mozart: Don Giovanni (OA1009D) (2008)<br /> <br /> Simon Keenlyside (Don Giovanni); Kyle Ketelsen (Leporello); Eric Halfvarson (Commendatore); Marina Poplavskaya (Donna Anna); Joyce DiDonato (Donna Elvira); Ramón Vargas (Don Ottavio); The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Charles Mackerras<br /> <br /> Don Giovanni is one of the timeless classics of all opera. Mozart's music, and the words of his great collaborator Da Ponte, are brought to life in Francesca Zambello's engrossing production from 2002 with its rich and colourful designs by Maria Bjornson. The music is memorable, dramatic and enjoyable: from the seductive solo voices of the famous 'La ci darem la mano' to the fabulous ensemble as Don Giovanni's infatuated conquests, vengeful victims and their outraged relatives join forces for justice. And retribution does finally come to Don Giovanni, a serial womanizer and a murderer, with the searing flames of Hell ready to engulf him. Simon Keenlyside heads the outstanding cast, conducted by renowned Mozart expert Charles Mackerras.<br /> <br /> "If one of the cast it to be named above the rest, that should be Joyce DiDonato, an outstandingly accomplished Elvira, brilliantly projected, interestingly conceived, her singing concentrated in tone. Miah Persson is an adorable Zerlina, and I liked what she and others were encouraged to do by way of vocal ornamentation." (Gramophone)<br /> <br /> "Sir Charles Mackerras conducts an incandescent Overture which kindles the brilliance, clarity and indefatigable energy of his music direction throughout. This film powerfully captures the fiery essence of Francesco Zambello's production...Zambello makes Simon Keenlyside's harsh and diabolical Don Giovanni and Kyle Ketelsen's embittered Leporello a double-act of deadly dependency." (BBC Music Magazine)