Welsh National Opera Don Giovanni - Review

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Thu 21 Apr 2022 - Fri 22 Apr 2022

Mozart's tale of the legendary seducer Don Juan is given all the trimmings in this production by Welsh National Opera. Performed at Birmingham Hippodrome on April 21-22, the story is very much a period piece with lavish costumes, brooding sets and a fittingly dramatic finale.

At its centre is the story of Don Giovanni, a man who spends every waking moment ruthlessly pursuing women with no care for the damage he leaves in his wake. To him, this is all highly amusing as he updates his list of more than 2,000 women – but Mozart ensures we see the repercussions of his selfishness.



There is Donna Anna played with dignity by Linda Richardson. She has been raped and her father the Commendatore murdered by Don Giovanni but together with her fiancé Don Ottavio played with real sensitivity by Kenneth Tarver, she is determined to gain her revenge.

Then there is Donna Elvira, a woman Don Giovanni has cheated and yet who still loves him. Played by Meeta Raval with fiery fervour, Donna Elvira is not a woman to be scorned, if she can't have Don Giovanni she will wreck his plans to seduce any others.

And thrown into this mix is Zerlina, a peasant girl, who on the day she is to marry, is whisked off her feet by the seemingly charming Don Giovanni. Harriet Eyley's Zerlina is initially captivated by this rich and handsome stranger but she soon realises there is danger lurking beneath those smiles.

As Don Giovanni's tale becomes more and more entwined with the fates of these three women he becomes tied up in his own misadventures – but there is worse to come. The final avenger is the Commendatore, played by James Platt, who returns as a spirit and challenges Don Giovanni, whose acceptance of a dinner date leads him to hell.

Duncan Rock is the ever-resourceful Don Giovanni. Escaping one potential disaster after another he's quick-witted, charming and funny – even the audience laughs at some of his jokes despite knowing him for what he is. And he is certainly no coward – when faced with the Commendatore, as his servant Leporello cowers and urges him to refuse the challenge, Don Giovanni takes the spirit by the hand – he has made his bargain and he will keep it.

Joshua Bloom injects plenty of humour into his role as Leporello. He is torn between admiration for his master's tricks and fears that his misdeeds will catch up with him. He constantly urges Don Giovanni to change his ways and yet he remains loyal to his master despite all the grief it brings him.



Originally directed by John Caird in 2011, the current revival of this production is directed by Caroline Chaney. Designed by John Napier, it takes inspiration from the giant sculpture The Gates of Hell by Auguste Rodin with sets featuring figures recognisable from the work. Seeing Don Giovanni attempting to seduce the women while they lean against these sculptures or sit on benches made of the bodies, reminds us of Don Giovanni's final destination.

Frederick Brown conducts the Welsh National Opera Orchestra through Mozart's delightful score and English surtitles ensure a translation from the Italian for those who like to follow each line.
Don Giovanni is very much of its time and this production sets it very firmly in period Spain but with today's #metoo movement it has a new resonance. Don Giovanni without doubt hides a true evil behind that charming smile but Mozart's emphasis on the women who confront him and his final fate ensures he is ultimately defeated.

The above cast performed on 21 April at Birmingham Hippodrome but different performers play the roles on different dates. WNO perform Don Giovanni at the Hippodrome on April 21-22 and Puccini's Madam Butterfly on April 23. For full details of Birmingham performances see www.birminghamhippodrome.com and for full tour details see https://wno.org.uk

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!date 21/04/2022 -- 22/04/2022
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