The new Robert Icke staging of “Don Giovanni” might upset more than a few spirits. The scenic proposal is certainly disruptive, and its insistence on intervening digitally in the opera’s soundscape is the most acute symptom of “directivitis” (the terrible disease that has afflicted opera directors for the last seven decades). However, I really had a great time watching “Don {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) The producers of “Mozart’s Don Giovanni: A Rock Opera” have made the decision to put the production on a brief hiatus. Per an official press release, the decision was made as a result of the intense summer heat in New York City. “While the venue has been a wonderful partner and home for our launch, current temperature {…}
This summer, New York’s Cutting Room will play host to a production of “Mozart’s Don Giovanni: A Rock Opera.” The famed opera staple will get new life in a reimagining translated, orchestrated, and directed by Adam B. Levowitz. “The power of Don Giovanni has always been the story — that hasn’t changed. What I changed is some of what the {…}
Opera Philadelphia is set to close its 2024-2025 season with Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” The opera will be performed at the historic Academy of Music in a new production led by American stage director Alison Moritz. Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris will lead the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra, with Elizabeth Braden leading the Opera Philadelphia Chorus. In a statement, Moritz said, “Working on this {…}
(Photos: Marco Borrelli) The Opéra de Monte-Carlo ushered in the new year with two standout productions as part of the “Mozart in Monaco” festival, organized by the resident Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo. The festival’s first offering was a semi-staged “Don Giovanni,” presented by the Wiener Staatsoper on January 19th. Cecilia Bartoli, director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, continued her fruitful {…}
Random Opera is set to present “Don Giovanni.” The Mozart masterpiece will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 at Temple Speech Room, Rugby, and features James Gillett at the piano and conducting a cast that stars Mike Dewis in the title role. Richard Tegid Jones’ production showcases the infamous anti-hero as an aging rock star who is still able {…}
Calgary Opera is set to open its 2024-25 season with Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” The performances which will be held from November 2 to 8, 2024 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, will be directed by Canadian Anna Theodosakis and conducted by Jonathan Brandani. In the new production, Theodosakis challenges the audience to confront the more unsettling aspects of the story, {…}
Singapore’s The Opera People will present “Don Giovanni” at the Wild Rice Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre on Nov. 1 and 3, 2024. The production will be directed by Tan Shou Chen and features the Wayfarer Sinfonietta under music director Lien Boon Hua. “The themes contained in the Don Giovanni story are so rich and timeless and the conversations orbiting around {…}
( Photo: © SF/Monika Rittershaus) All sinful things come wrapped in fascinating aesthetics. You know the feeling: something that is extremely beautiful and appealing, but disquieting—too pleasurable to be ethically good. That is Salzburg Festival’s “Don Giovanni”: a spectacular dramatic installation, a grandiose musical project, a lustful conception; yet sinfully wrong. First things first. This is a revival of Romeo {…}
Welcome back for this week’s look at the latest CD and DVD releases in the opera world. This week audiences will get a chance to listen to world premiere recordings, a rarely performed work and a legendary recording of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Ochre Multiple-GRAMMY-winning ensemble The Crossing offers a new album born of cultural resonance, with new works by three {…}
(Photo credit: Michele Crosera) Having seen more versions of “Don Giovanni” than there are sands on the beach, I can attest that the greatness of the opera is seldom undermined by a less than optimum staging. However, when the staging is good—or even great—, one feels that there is no better opera than “Don Giovanni.” The revival of Damiano Michieletto’s {…}