Threaded Order Chronological Order
| Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Last Edit: singleticket 06:41 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
| Posted by: singleticket 06:23 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
|
|
|
| For a director whose stage work I've more or less given up on, I am now a fan of Ivo van Hove's opera direction. This afternoon's performance was the best production of Don Giovanni I've seen at the Met and in my opinion the only successful one I've seen at the Met as well. Act One was probably the best production I've ever seen anywhere, on stage or on screen. What made it so excellent? Well, the biggest surprise for me was that van Hove not only has directed his very agile cast to bring Mozart's opera to life dramatically but he has also either directed or made space for his singer/actor's to give sung line-readings that I've never experienced in an opera house. Certain lines and passages of the arias and recitatives are performed with character shadings that are also musical shadings. Sometimes these sung line-readings are comic, like Anna Maria Martinez' Donna Elvira's aggressively rolled Spanish rrrr's. Others are sardonic, plaintive but all done harmoniously so that they feel like they are emerging as a part of the character in a disarmingly informal way. Then there are the recitative passages that are taken as seriously and are given as much stage time as the arias with remarkable results. Don Giovanni's seduction of Zerlina is the first time in the opera that we get to see Don Giovanni in full seduction-attack mode. And Peter Mattei pulls it off brilliantly. Here is a seducer who is not only an addict but a deadly one, a black belt seducer. Mattei's movements were snake like with shadings of Judo or Tai Chi moves. It was scary and effective. I don't think I've seen a better vocal and dramatic performance of the role. Mattei's vocal range is thrilling. 'Deh, vieni alla finestra' felt like an intimate art song, hushed and honeyed. It had me panting as well as Donna Elvira, appearing in a balcony above. Which brings me to something I've found default in many of van Hove's production but works here like magic and that is a palpable erotic charge to the direction and the way that the cast interacts. Imagine that, a Don Giovanni that is genuinely sexy in an opera about sexual desire and conquest, sexual violence and addiction. Act Two pleased me less, with one of my least loved Ivo-isms... a food fight or food getting thrown around stage. Until that moment van Hove's interpretation of the Da Ponte's libretto felt decidedly un-regietheater. It was satisfyingly matter of fact. Don Octavio played by the appealing and sweet-voiced American tenor Ben Bliss was exactly what the libretto says he is... a faithful, loving man who is nevertheless tortured by the obsessive grief of the woman he loves. But moments of Act Two also reminded me of another sinking feeling I've gotten from van Hove's stage productions and that is "why am I still watching this". Van Hove can make a compelling world and offer his performers generous space and time to fully embody their characters but the characters tend to remain in a kind of dramatic stasis. This production's Don Giovanni just seems to get more addicted, more childish as the story went on. And when he is finally gone we feel a sense of relief that the production underlines in a charming final stage picture. But there is a feeling that even though Mozart and Da Ponte's opera has been well and honestly served by van Hove, it hasn't been delved into that deeply. But you can't have everything and here is a production that wins on almost all levels and is very entertaining and satisfying. There are other great voices and performers in this cast. And I loved the conducting by the French conductor Nathalie Stutzmann, a reading that felt as seductive and snake-like as van Hove's production. I would say this is a must-see. There is one more performance. It will be certainly be brought back but who knows what the casting will be and who knows if van Hove will personally prepare the future casts. |
|
| reply to this message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Last Edit: Chromolume 09:54 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 09:49 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
| In reply to: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - singleticket 06:23 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
|
|
|
| ...but he has also either directed or made space for his singer/actor's to give sung line-readings that I've never experienced in an opera house. Certain lines and passages of the arias and recitatives are performed with character shadings that are also musical shadings. Sometimes these sung line-readings are comic, like Anna Maria Martinez' Donna Elvira's aggressively rolled Spanish rrrr's. Others are sardonic, plaintive but all done harmoniously so that they feel like they are emerging as a part of the character in a disarmingly informal way. Then there are the recitative passages that are taken as seriously and are given as much stage time as the arias with remarkable results. Don Giovanni's seduction of Zerlina is the first time in the opera that we get to see Don Giovanni in full seduction-attack mode. And Peter Mattei pulls it off brilliantly. All of that credit belongs to the singers and the conductor, the true surprise of the season, Nathalie Stutzmann. It seems to me the only plus side to Van Hove's work is that he, for once, didn't use cameras as part of the production design. (The Met was supposed to be getting his Mahagonny, which was as camera-heavy as one can get. Awful.) By the way - Spanish R's? I though the text was in Italian? (Italian also has rolled R's.) |
|
| reply to this message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Posted by: ryhog 01:36 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - Chromolume 09:49 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
|
|
|
| And nothing like getting the orchestra pissed off at your before the performance to get their best work in spite of it. LOL | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Last Edit: Chromolume 02:06 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 02:03 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - ryhog 01:36 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| I think the orchestra WAY overreacted. And you just can't tell me that they're all smiles all the time, every night, during every opera they play. Yes, she might have chosen different words, but ultimately I don't think she said anything that horrible. And making her apologize publicly was the wrong move. If I were her, I'd be out of there. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Posted by: jsr 06:50 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - Chromolume 02:03 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| Yes, the orchestra and various ill-advised supporters over-reacted absurdly. So much so that it seems they had an agenda and her harmless remarks were seized upon as an instrument of revenge. I thought her conducting was excellent, btw. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Posted by: ryhog 02:12 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - Chromolume 02:03 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| I pretty much agree. I thought the whole thing was overwrought. I was just kinda chuckling at it. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| Please explain? Thank you. nm | |
| Posted by: thtrgoer 11:20 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - ryhog 02:12 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Please explain? Thank you. nm | |
| Posted by: andPeggy 12:12 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: Please explain? Thank you. nm - thtrgoer 11:20 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| googled and found this | |
| Link | https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-orchestra-fires-back-at-nathalie-stutzmann-comment-in-new-york-times/ |
| reply to this message | reply to first message | |
| re: Please explain? Thank you. nm | |
| Posted by: ryhog 12:12 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: Please explain? Thank you. nm - thtrgoer 11:20 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| I assume you mean what is this all about, not my feelings about it. In conjunction with her conducting debut at the Metropolitan Opera, Nathalie Stutzmann gave an interview in which she said (while discussing the raised orchestra for Don Giovanni) that orchestras in a pit (who can see none of what is going on on stage) become bored. Some/many/most/all of the musicians were insulted and started saying negative things about her demeanor and preparation while also asserting that they were not bored and loved making music as the Met Opera etc. The Met quickly demanded that she issue a mea culpa, which she did. (I have no idea how successful it was but agree with Chromey that it was a dumb idea and an overreaction.) I hope this helps. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Please explain? Thank you. nm | |
| Posted by: jsr 06:53 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Please explain? Thank you. nm - ryhog 12:12 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| Perhaps the orchestra prefers to remain mostly unseen, so they can continue to read their books and exchange sarcastic looks. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Please explain? Thank you. nm | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 12:25 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Please explain? Thank you. nm - ryhog 12:12 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| One slight correction - the raised pit is done in the production of Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute), not Don Giovanni. Stutzmann is conducting both productions, and bringing wonderful musicianship to both. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| Thanks | |
| Posted by: ryhog 12:53 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Please explain? Thank you. nm - Chromolume 12:25 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| I think Dramedy recently introduced the expression "brain fart" to the ATC lexicon. Seems apt here. :-) | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Thanks | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 12:58 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: Thanks - ryhog 12:53 pm EDT 05/28/23 | |
|
|
|
| Oh, I wouldn't be so hard on yourself. Two major new productions of Mozart operas, within weeks of each other, and with the same conductor. It wouldn't be that hard to mix them up. | |
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 10:42 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 10:35 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - Chromolume 09:49 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
|
|
|
| "Don Giovanni's seduction of Zerlina is the first time in the opera that we get to see Don Giovanni in full seduction-attack mode." That's how Lorenzo da Ponte's libretto is written. And Don Giovanni ultimately flops with her because at the banquet her new bridegroom Masetto is on the alert, looking out for her. Plus Giovanni's rape/seduction of Anna is off-stage, and it's not quite clear how far he got, although Anna is, of course, quite upset. Elvira's story is from a former seduction; she still loves him, but she's just a notch in his belt, and he's moved on. It's not clear if Giovanni gets to have a go of the maid to whom he sings his aria "Deh vieni alla finestra" as frankly, the opera shows Giovanni on a downward slope with women. He pretty much strikes out the entire opera, at least by his standards. As I've played/sung both Leporello and Masetto: (spoiler alert since 1787) Giovanni goes to hell, Leporello seeks another master, the Commendatore remains a statue, Ottavio decides he'll wait out Anna's trauma before getting married for at least a year, which leaves Masetto, who just got married to Zerlina, as the only male character who's presumably getting laid at the end of the opera! |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 11:07 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - PlayWiz 10:35 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
|
|
|
| Poor Leporello, who starts off the opera telling us how he doesn't want to be a servant anymore, and who even gets to disguise himself as his own master, ultimately comes to terms with his station in life. I do have to wonder if Ottavio will ever get to marry Anna. I've never really believed there's a real match there. As for Masetto and Zerlina, theirs is absolutely true love. Given the nasty things Masetto spouts at her in "Ho capito," she really must love him a whole lot to be able to brush it all off. But I think she knows he's really just a puppy - I think it's clear that when she challenges him in "Batti batti" she knows full well he could never bring himself to do that. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 01:25 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 01:14 am EDT 05/28/23 | |
| In reply to: re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - Chromolume 11:07 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
|
|
|
| Masetto is rather pissed off at Zerlina at the point, when right at their wedding party comes this nobleman and his servant, and the nobleman is flirting rather outrageously with the bride. Leporello knows what he's supposed to do: detain, get out of sight, and otherwise preoccupy the bridegroom while Giovanni tries to basically, score. Zerlina is flattered by Giovanni's attention, but Masetto is kind of like Jackie Gleason with his "Bang Zoom! to the Moon, Alice!", clearly adoring her while emitting empty threats. I think Ottavio cares more about Anna than she does about him, but the details of their characters are rather lacking in the text than they are for other characters in the opera. They do have some gorgeous and very difficult arias though. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
| re: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met | |
| Posted by: sirpupnyc 08:27 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
| In reply to: Ivo's excellent adventure - DON GIOVANNI at the Met - singleticket 06:23 pm EDT 05/27/23 | |
|
|
|
| Not to dispute your enjoyment, but "the best production of Don Giovanni I've seen at the Met" is possibly a very low bar, since the last two productions (2011 Michael Grandage and 2004 Marthe Keller) were such duds. The Zeffirelli production before that was the first thing I saw there, so I wouldn't attempt to judge, but still it's been more than 20 years since the Met had a decent Don Giovanni. I wasn't quite as taken with it, but definitely saw more good than bad and a workable production at last. Making Ottavio and Elvira seem like actual people is a major improvement. It gets a bit weird in the last scene of the first act, and I didn't think the handling of the Commendatore in the second act worked (his appearance at dinner is blunted if we've just seen him). Giovanni's end is a striking picture, but it's a bit like it's spliced in from a different production altogether. |
|
| reply to this message | reply to first message |
Time to render: 0.146048 seconds.