Don Giovanni

GENERAL INFORMATION

View Date and Location:
4 Nov 2018 at the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk, VA

Premiere Date: 29 Oct 1787 in Prague
Language: Italian
Composer: Mozart

Virginia Opera:
Director: Lillian Groag
Conductor: Adam Turner

STORYLINE

This is a two-act opera written by Mozart that is based on the legends of Don Juan, a fictional seducer of women. 

MY REVIEW

What I really love about the Harrison and the Virginia Opera is that before every performance is a 30 minute introduction to the themes and music and a little lesson about the opera itself. That really makes the music more enjoyable. There is a sense of understanding that you get when you can hear the music beforehand and know that when you hear a certain piece, to watch for something. Love this!

This was a well directed and well performed opera. Don't get me wrong, I know that the opera is ABOUT Don Giovanni (Tobias Greenhalgh), so he is the star, but the star for me was Leporello (Zachary Altman) He played the Don's servant with such a sense of humor that it was fun to watch him. He stole the stage for me.

I do identify with Donna Elvira (Sarah Larsen) as she is not only seduced once, but falls for his sweet words over and over again. I get it.

I was dismayed with the supertitles at the Harrison. That's the small screen that is displayed for the non-Italian speakers. My Italian was good enough to keep up, so it wasn't that bad for me!