Don Giovanni

Mozart's 1787 opera about legendary womanizer Don Juan is called a dramma giocoso, a term that suggests a careful balance must be maintained between the comic and dramatic. Filmed in 2008 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, director Francesca Zambello's production not only features rather unimaginative sets and costumes by Maria Björnson, and also makes some inexplicable miscalculations in the second act finale (including having Don Giovanni strip down to his shorts). But the real virtues of this presentation—which avoids the worst excesses of the Eurotrash movement while also moving away from the slavishly traditional—are musical. Particular praise is due to conductor Charles Mackerras, who may be in his 80s, but his reading of the score is nevertheless fleet and vital, while his sense of classical style remains peerless. And the vocalism is generally fine: although both Ramón Vargas (Ottavio) and Marina Poplavskaya (Donna Anna) struggle a bit, Simon Keenlyside is a virile, full-throated Giovanni, and Kyle Ketelsen makes for an amusing Leporello. But the best singing springs from Joyce DiDonato, who brings both passion and precision to the role of the jilted Donna Elvira. Presented with DTS surround and LPCM stereo options, DVD extras include an illustrated synopsis, cast gallery, conductor Antonio Pappano's brief conversations with Mackerras and Zambello, and two featurettes on the Royal Opera House. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)