Mozart’s masterpiece “Don Giovanni” is often called the greatest opera ever composed. The music is brilliant. The story is well-known. The libretto is intense, yet funny. So given such a head start the question always becomes a matter of what surprises an opera company can bring to the story.
Atlanta Opera’s staging of “Don Giovanni” gives us Andrea Concetti, who portrays the character with such charisma and swagger that you almost expect him to start high-fiving Leperello.
The bass, who is making his Atlanta Opera debut, is no stranger to the philandering title role so he brings experience, but he gives Don Giovanni this anti-hero charm. He’s hedonistic, sure. But he’s a handsome and interesting bad boy. You just kind of like him. Donna Elvira and Don Ottavio, who are determined to bring Don Giovanni to justice, seem like such haters.
Eduardo Chama, who masterfully plays the servant Leperello, is a lovable and funny wingman. When he launches into the famous Catalogue Aria where he outlines Don Giovanni’s worldwide conquests, there is this gossipy modernity to his voice that makes it sound as if he’s outing his master on Facebook or a Twitter feed.
This kind of interpretation demonstrates why “Don Giovanni” is so timeless, and it shows the effectiveness of the cast of Atlanta Opera’s season-ending production. The voices are crisp and the comedic parts of the opera never seem overwrought. Angela Kloc, another Atlanta Opera newcomer, makes a keen turn as Zerlina. She displays chemistry and tenderness with both Concetti and Brent Davis, who portrays her betrothed Masetto.
And while one knows the statue Commendatore (Andrew Kroes) will arrive and exact revenge in the famous finale, it is a lot of fun watching the antics and hijinks until Don Giovanni finally must repent for his transgressions.
Opera Review
‘Don Giovanni’
Grade: A
Atlanta Opera. 3 p.m. May 6. $22-$135. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2800, www.cobbenergy centre.com.
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