- Actors: Thomas Allen, Sergei Koptchak, Edita Gruberova, Francisco Araiza, Ann Murray
- Directors: Carlo Battistoni
- Writers: Lorenzo da Ponte
- Format: Classical, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Import
- Language: Italian
- Subtitles: English
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
- Release Date: Jun 15 2004
- Run Time: 176 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0001Z65R6
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Product Details |
Product Description
Amazon.com Essential Video
This is the greatest of all operas. Mozart called it a "dramma giocoso," which might be translated as "serious comedy," and in fact it is tragic and comic at the same time--climaxing with a spectacular final scene in which the libertine hero (hero? let's say "central character") is dragged alive down to hell amid blood-curdling screams. Mozart treated this as a happy ending, and the punishment is richly earned by the rape, murder, and seduction that lead up to it, but at the same time Giovanni has a charm (most clearly displayed in the duet "La ci darem") that makes it easy to believe in his amorous conquests (which are brilliantly detailed in his servant Leporello's "catalogue aria"). Don Giovanni can be interpreted in many ways; the first DVD recording is a solid, middle-of-the-road interpretation, handsomely staged and photographed, generally well conducted and sung (though Thomas Allen has rough spots in his serenade), and acted capably if not brilliantly. It would be a good way to begin acquaintance with this masterpiece. Strikingly different concepts worth knowing are Joseph Losey's psychologically probing and symbol-laden movie version, and the Peter Sellars television production (both available on VHS), which plays out the drama in the wasteland of the modern South Bronx. --Joe McLellan
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Mostly Quite Good La Scala 'Don Giovanni'
Jun 18 2004
Format:DVD
This DVD of 'Don Giovanni' comes from 1987 at La Scala, in Giorgio Strehler's fairly mainstream production (and thank goodness for that!) with mostly top-notch singers. It has been available before on VHS and even on DVD (on a different label) but at a much higher price. And it may be my imagination - I don't have the earlier releases at hand - but it seems to me that this issue is in cleaner sound and with clearer visuals. Riccardo Muti conducts the Scala forces in an exciting but well-controlled performance. Thomas Allen is outstanding as Don Juan, oozing charm as he snakes his way into the lives of all the women within sight. Claudio Desderi makes a suitably ambivalent (and rich-voiced) Leporello, disdaining his master at the same time he hopes to join in the debauchery. Suzanne Mentzer, looking absolutely delicious, looks (and sings) a wonderfully lively but naïve Zerlina; hers is my favorite performance here. Ann Murray is a somewhat muted Donna Elvira, but that approach can work and she pulls it off. Her voice is lush and she never shrieks during the ferocious moments. Sergey Koptchak is splendid as the Commendatore, although I did wonder why at the end he was mostly heard and not seen. Francisco Araiza sings nicely but is a bit wooden as Don Ottavio. Natale de Carolis makes a handsome young Masetto, sings ardently and is possibly the most tellingly subtle actor on the stage; he and Mentzer make the most attractive Zerlina and Masetto I recall ever seeing. The only significant letdown, and one of the reasons I gave this production four stars instead of five, is the Donna Anna of Edita Gruberova. She has been noted for her silvery coloratura and her lovely tone (as in her recording of 'Rusalka,' since, of course, trumped by that of Renée Fleming) but here she sounds tired, particularly early in the opera. This improves slightly as we go along, but the voice still sounds a bit worn. Her acting, as well, is merely serviceable.
Sets, costumes, direction are all a credit to their creators: Enzo Frigerio, Franca Squarciapino, and Giorgio Strehler. Lighting by Vannio Vanni is just the tiniest bit muted in this production, but it is otherwise adequate.
The opera takes just one DVD. There are no extras, not surprising considering the opera itself is just shy of three hours. The only subtitles are in English; there are not even Italian subtitles, but the Italian libretto is printed in the enclosed booklet. This is a bit cumbersome if one is trying to follow the libretto closely. Further, the divisions and settings of the various scenes are not marked in the libretto - it's the sung text only. Fortunately, differing from some booklets I've seen lately, the text is printed in black against white; there seems to be a trend towards printing white text (or even gray text) again dark backgrounds, which makes reading the tiny print exceedingly difficult, at least for those of us of a certain age.
I do recommend this DVD, but with the minor provisos stated above.
Scott Morrison
Excellent music, mediocre recording
April 3 2003
Format:DVD
Although the drama on stage was disappointing, Muti and the vocalists create terrific music. It is unfortunate that the recording quality is only mediocre. Furthermore, the stage lighting was inappropriately dim for capturing the opera on tape, and most of the scenes are excessively gloomy. All in all, this performance fails to demonstrate the strengths of the DVD format.
Mutti's 'Don Giovanni'
May 21 2002
Format:DVD
Mozart's operas have never been the easiest to set, and this production's director does little to alleviate that stigma. The sets are austere and repetitive, the costume design is good but hackneyed by overuse, and the lighting often obscures the more delicate details of the staging. But, if the backdrop to the music is slightly disappointing, the music itself is anything but. Mutti leads a roaring interpretation that lets down neither his lightning fast tempo nor the jubilent spirit at the heart of Mozart's music.The casting is superb! From Zerlina (Metzner), meek and innocent (even through her final curtain call) to Leoporello (Desderi) whose antics on the stage make us fall in love with his character to Thomas Allen's Don Giovanni who is the perfect blend of regality and wickedness. All around this is the best recording of Don Giovanni available on DVD, and one those eager to aquire Mozart's grand masterpiece in this format first need look in to.
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Most recent customer reviews
Masetto Is Hot!
This is the best performance of Don Giovanni that I have seen yet.Except for a little backround noise, it was really great. Read more
Published on May 9 2002 by Giovanna
One of the top 4 Don Giovanni videos
I liked almost everything about this performance and have it on VHS and Laser, (not DVD yet), and the sound was fine. Read more
Published on May 3 2002 by operamaryc
despite Ann Murray, a wonderful Don Giovanni!!
I am thrilled to review this DVD after I saw it. Don Giovanni is a wonderful opera with an ALMOST 5-star cast.
Why do I give it 4 stars? Read more
Published on April 15 2002 by Aidan
Doesn't live up to the ridiculous price
This production wasn't all THAT bad, but the acting was pretty much non-existent, except for perhaps Zerlina and/or Masetto. Read more
Published on Mar 10 2002
An exciting opera and well worth watching!
Here are my reasons: 1. The delightful staging by Giorgio Strehler - a subtle and elegant setting for the precious jewel of Mozart's opera! Read more
Published on Aug 22 2001 by Sophia
Don Giovanni
Great story by Di Ponte. Great music by Mozart. Great scenes by La Scala.
Wish they had done something a little more imaginative with the Statue who came to dinner, but other... Read more
Published on Aug 13 2001 by B. Travis
Could we have music and drama, please?
I have seen many, many stagings of this grandiose work. Sadly it is rare to find musical qualities matching the dramatic ones, or viceversa. Read more
Published on Aug 2 2000 by "rzach"
This dvd is fine. I disagree with the other reviewers.
I have been listening to opera for my entire and in having listened to over 500 different recordings of opera on video and countless 100's of cd's, I have experienced all the... Read more
Published on July 27 2000 by "gioacchino"
Impossible to be better!
This has got to be the best version of Don Giovanni that I have ever seen. I have never been more moved by an opera in my entire life. Read more
Published on July 11 2000 by Suzette Peyton
A waste
Don Giovanni is by far one of my favorite operas, so when I saw this DVD I bought it immediately. Big disappointing. The video quality is old-fashioned TV, illumination too dark. Read more
Published on Mar 16 2000 by Juan Keledjian
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