Customer Reviews

Mozart - Don Giovanni [VHS]

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This is a fabulous version of Don Giovanni. It is absolutely my favorite. Bernard Haitink is the best Marriage of Figaro/Donny G. conductor, and he sparkles here. Benjamin Luxon is a very sweet, commanding Giovanni, and Stafford Dean is an incredible Leporello. He sings strongly, comically, and he acts very well. Rachel Yakar was a great Donna Elvira. Her sweet voice was perfect, especially in her Act 2 aria, "Mi tradi." Leo Goeke and Horiana Bernisteanu were a good couple for Don Ottavio and Donna Anna. Elizabeth Gale sings Zerlina extremely well- many Zerlinas sound weak or lifeless, this one does not. John Rawnsley also makes a good Masetto. As for Pierre Thau as the Commendatore- wow! His, "Don Giovanni, a cenar teco" is astounding. The sets and costumes are old fashioned, and very authentic. The special effects in the last scene are tremendous. After the Commendatore grasps Don Giovanni by the hand, the dinner table sinks into the ground, a huge cross comes up behind them, lit up, finally, Don Giovanni screams in agony "NO!" and the cross disappears. The stage slowly opens behind him as a dozen or so spirits with horns appear and begin to drag the cursed man down through red mist. Amazing. This is a great version, and I'd get it if I were you.