Educational Media Reviews Online

Don Giovanni, an 18th century comic opera in 2 acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, takes place in a Spanish city in the middle of the 17th century. The original production in Prague at the National Theater in 1787 began a tradition of performances that also occurred with a United States New York premiere in 1817 and a Metropolitan Opera premier in 1883. This production from the Royal Opera House performed in Covent Garden continues the tradition more than 200 years later. “Staged by acclaimed director Francesca Zambelo and conducted by legendary Mozart authority Sir Charles Mackerras, this 2008 production of Don Giovanni never shies from the work’s inherent passion and spectacle.” (DVD sleeve)

Knowing the plot of the story is essential to understanding the sequence of events. Don Giovanni, the main character, is described in The Metropolitan Book of Mozart Operas as “an extremely licentious young cavalier.” This nobleman is preoccupied with seduction, displays unscrupulous behavior, and unexpectedly murders the Commendatore, father of Donna Anna who is intent on avenging her father’s death. The lengthy opera includes scenes with the loyal servant Leporello and weaves the manipulation of Giovanni against the love interests of two couples Donna Anna & Don Ottavio and Zerlina & Masetto while Donna Elvira, a former love interest of Giovanni, is also set on revenge but continues to feel love for him whenever she encounters his presence. However, a fiery end awaits Giovanni as the story shows the final revenge.

Sung in Italian, subtitles or program notes would be helpful. The length of the opera allows for wide exploration of arias and singing by the main characters. The viewer hears classic Mozart throughout with energetic rhythmic themes and crisp singing. The singers interpret Mozart with lyrical melodic lines in some arias and in other scenes with good diction of the staccato faster moving lines. The alternating orchestra parts with the singers and the Royal Opera Chorus, the robust energy from the singing, and the traditional cadences of the classical repertoire that continue just one more time with the singers and finally with the orchestra until that final conclusion with a grand ending. The musical energy is palpable and allows the viewer to experience the appreciation of the live audience. The phrasing by the orchestra, strong expressive operatic voices to carry the story line, costumes of the time, and the unexpected ending make for an opera experience that will be remembered.

Highly recommended for music and opera collections in university and large public libraries.