Mozart Don Giovanni opera to libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. Directed 2014 by Felix Breisach at the Theater an der Wien. Stars Andrè Schuen (Don Giovanni), Mika Kares (Masetto/Il Commendatore), Christine Schäfer (Donna Anna), Mauro Peter (Don Ottavio), Maite Beaumont (Donna Elvira), Ruben Drole (Leporello), and Mari Eriksmoen (Zerlina). Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts the Concentus Musicus Wien and the Arnold Schoenberg Chor (Chorus Master Erwin Ortner). Costume design by Doris Maria Aigner. Scenic arrangement by Felix Breisach. Directed for TV by Felix Breisach. Sung in Italian. Released 2021, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound. Grade: D
This video was made 6 years ago—a bad sign. There’s no director because this is an un-staged concert production of the opera. The package does credit Felix Breisach for “scenic arrangement.” That means, I think, that everyone asked Breisach from time to time, “Where should I stand for this number?” There is a stage and costume designer credited. This means, I think, that the singers may wear clothes that vaguely suggest something about their character without looking ridiculous, and there may be a few simple props. Is there some rather shameless puffing going on here? Well, maybe not. This is being touted as something really special as part of a definitive presentation by Harnoncourt of concert versions of all three Mozart/De Ponte operas. And this is offered at a premium price! So maybe there are specialist fans and music professionals who would benefit from this.
I’m doubtful. However, it’s a fact that the best live opera presentation I’ve ever seen was a concert version. I guess this means I would rather see a great concert version of “The Fat Lady Sings” than an average staged version of that great work. Maybe I should exclude this as our goal is to focus on the best of the best. But I relent. I’m giving this a D, which means avoid this unless you have a special reason to want it, say, for example, as a specialist fan or music professional who just has to know what Harnoncourt is up to.
Here’s an official trailer:
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