MOZART

Vol. 23 Don Giovanni (Highlights)
Ingvar Wixell · Martina Arroyo · Kiri Te Kanawa · Stuart Burrows · Wladimiro Ganzarolli · Mirella Freni · Richard Van Allan · Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden · Sir Colin Davis

CD 446 245-2
PHILIPS

Since its première in Prague in 1787 this dramma giocoso has been one of the best-loved of all operas. It is the second resulting from the partnership of Mozart and the poet Lorenzo da Ponte. A blend of comic and tragic elements, perceptible from the beginning of the overture, accompanies the story of the doings of the famous lady-killer. These begin with a murder on stage - in a duel Don Giovanni kills the Commendatore, who had surprised him in an attempt to seduce his daughter incognito - and end with the principal character being drawn down into hell. Between these two scenes situations comic and emotional unfold, and all the protagonists become increasingly embroiled in a growing whirl of dramatic climaxes: the pursuit, exposure and flight of the guilty party become ever more closely entwined with his attempted seductions. Don Giovanni continues to deride and deceive until the fateful intervention of a heavenly messenger: the statue of the Commendatore, whom he had irreverently invited to supper. To his pursuers, arriving on the scene to bring the lady-killer to justice, all that remains is the humdrum conclusion: "The scoundrel has died as he lived!" - In this recording Don Giovanni receives the treatment he deserves in musical terms also. Sir Colin Davis has at his disposal a balanced ensemble led by Kiri te Kanawa, Mirella Freni and Ingvar Wixell.

The Best of the Complete Mozart Edition