Opera

http://www.curtainup.com, 28. November 2007
http://www.curtainup.com/dongiovannila.html

Conductor Harmut Haenchen finds a perfect blend for the opera's several sextets and the Masked Trio at the ball. He coaxes Erwin Schrott from the exquisite Act II aria in which he serenades Donna Elvira's maid to his dashing "Fin ch'han dal Vino" and his final terror at the approach of the sepulchral Commendatore at the end. He pinpoints Ketelsen's scornful lightness in "Madamina.",wherein Leporello itemizes Don Giovanni's conquests, brings out the richness in Deshorties' rendition of Donna Anna's tour de force vendetta aria and keeps Kanyova from going over the top in Donna Elvira's anguished aria "I still feel for him pity."

Laura Hitchcock