Don Giovanni at Opera Holland Park
A summers eve, an innovative setting and first-class singing
- the scene is set for Stephen Barlow's production of Don Giovanni
at Opera Holland Park.
Mozart's cautionary tale of a lothario that gets his just desserts never fails to entertain, and provides the operatic challenges for the sopranos through to the glossier tones of the Bass Baritones.
There are the distinctive string flourishes, lovely harpsichord interludes and beautiful arias that are as fresh under the conducting hands of Robert Dean as they must have been on first performance in 1787.
Nicholas Garrett as Don Giovanni performs a wily and obsessed character. He is driven by the notches on his bedpost. The action is focussed on a seduction that goes horribly wrong. Don Giovanni, dressed for masquerade in his attempt to seduce Donna Anna (Ana James), ends up killing her father, and a subplot of vengenance ensues. Meanwhile, Giovanni brushing off his crime tries to spirit away Zerlina on her wedding day ( Claire Wild), but fails as his former conquest Donna Elvira ( Laura Mitchell) catches him out.
Yannis Thavoris has put together a production style all 1870s. The women wear bustles, silks and diamonds, the men velvet smoking coats and dressing gowns. Using dark panelled benches, he is able to transport us from a public house, to a stately home within seconds.
The ultimate damnation scene for Don Giovanni has an innovative twist which to avoid spoilers encourages an interesting entry point for the ghost to test Giovanni's character. The happy ending sung with great gusto, Garrett mock booed as a pantomine villian at his curtain call, all cast greeted with hearty applause- yes, a definite crowd pleaser.
Mozart's cautionary tale of a lothario that gets his just desserts never fails to entertain, and provides the operatic challenges for the sopranos through to the glossier tones of the Bass Baritones.
There are the distinctive string flourishes, lovely harpsichord interludes and beautiful arias that are as fresh under the conducting hands of Robert Dean as they must have been on first performance in 1787.
Nicholas Garrett as Don Giovanni performs a wily and obsessed character. He is driven by the notches on his bedpost. The action is focussed on a seduction that goes horribly wrong. Don Giovanni, dressed for masquerade in his attempt to seduce Donna Anna (Ana James), ends up killing her father, and a subplot of vengenance ensues. Meanwhile, Giovanni brushing off his crime tries to spirit away Zerlina on her wedding day ( Claire Wild), but fails as his former conquest Donna Elvira ( Laura Mitchell) catches him out.
Yannis Thavoris has put together a production style all 1870s. The women wear bustles, silks and diamonds, the men velvet smoking coats and dressing gowns. Using dark panelled benches, he is able to transport us from a public house, to a stately home within seconds.
The ultimate damnation scene for Don Giovanni has an innovative twist which to avoid spoilers encourages an interesting entry point for the ghost to test Giovanni's character. The happy ending sung with great gusto, Garrett mock booed as a pantomine villian at his curtain call, all cast greeted with hearty applause- yes, a definite crowd pleaser.
Don Giovanni
June 28, 30, July 2, 4 (matinee), 6, 8, 10, 12, 14
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