Presented live from Madrid's Teatro Royal, this 2005 production of Mozart's Don Giovanni transposes the action from 17th-century Seville to post-Civil War Spain, an update that actually improves on the original Da Ponte libretto. Don Giovanni remains the ultimate scoundrel—seducing, raping, and murdering—but the new setting renders the characters more believable, and the superb cast has the looks, vocal technique, and acting chops to make it work: Carlos Alvarez as Don Giovanni, Maria Boyo as Donna Anna, José Bros (bringing down the house as Don Ottavio), Sonia Ganassi as Donna Elvira, the ever-delightful Lorenzo Regazzo as Leporello, José Antonio Lopez as Masetto, Maria José Moreno as Zerlina, and Alfred Reiter as the Commendatore. The combination of taut direction and Mozart's sublime music—presented by the Madrid Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Victor Pablo Pérez—climax in a brilliantly conceived cinematic finale in which the principals reflect on the fate of Don Giovanni against a background of archival images from 1940s propaganda films featuring utopian images (particularly ironic, in view of the zeitgeist during that war-torn period). Although a handful of dark scenes are somewhat difficult to see, this is a minor complaint for what is otherwise a superb production. Presented in DTS and LCPM stereo, DVD extras include a cast gallery, synopsis, and interviews. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)
Don Giovanni
(2005) 2 discs. 208 min. In Italian w/English subtitles. DVD: $39.99 (booklet included). Opus Arte (dist. by Naxos of America). Volume 22, Issue 2
Don Giovanni
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