The opera “Don Giovanni” by Mozart is one of my great favorites. When you get to enjoy it as sung by Anna Netrebko, one can just imagine the fireworks…
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K527
Performed by Erwin Schrott (as Don Giovanni), Anna Netrebko (Donna Anna), Luca Pisaroni (Leporello), Malena Ernman (Donna Elvira), Charles Castronovo (Don Ottavio), Katija Dragojevic (Zerlina), Jonathan Lemalu (Masetto), Mario Luperi (Commendatore), and the
Balthasar-Neumann-Orchestra, Balthasar-Neumann-Choir, Thomas Hengelbrock conducting.
This is a llive recording of Don Giovanni from the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Germany.
Opera Today wrote that “Schrott creates Don Giovanni in all his malevolent glory — virile, confident, arrogant. He is bursting with animal sexuality, yet manages to hint at the manic obsession that drives the character. Stunning.”
Here for your own enjoyment is a recording of the opera from La Scala Milan, under the direction of Daniel Barenboim. (Recording starts with the Italian National Anthem):
I prefer La Scala version because of the singers. Anna is always brilliant, but Mattei and Terfel created characters that are closer to what I make of Don Giovanni and Leporello. Also, La Scala production is more interesting and realistic to me. Baden-Baden version is very modern in terms of its sexuality, but I think it’s wrong. Even lecherous noblemen did not behave openly lewd and vulgar in those times. Appearances and etiquette were important and were protected. Still, both productions are interesting and should be seen. And they both cast Anna Netrebko who is brillliant. But I’ve already said that 😉