The latest release on the Harmonia Mundi label .
MOZART: DON GIOVANNI
Soloists: Johannes Weisser, Olga Pasichnyk, Alexandrina
Pendatchanska, Lorenzo Ragazzo. Freiburg Baroque Orchestra; Berlin
RIAS Chamber Choir. Conductor: Rene Jacobs.
Harmonia Mundi HMC90 1964/6
***
This is an electrifying record of one of the greatest operas ever written. The performance has a very complete account of the score with the inclusion of some numbers Mozart discarded.
Johannes Weisser presents Don as a swaggering and arrogant young blade, while Lorenzo Regazzo, one of the finest Italian basses singing today, presents Leporello as an older, slightly sleazy sidekick.
Donna Elvira is a tragic and almost deranged figure, while Donna Anna is presented as somewhat innocent and bemused.
The smaller parts are well sung and the conductor pushes the music along at a fizzing pace with disconcerting changes of pace at times, which conveys the restless energy of this great work.
The final scene has the quality of real terror, something that the score demands.
www.harmoniamundi.com
COLMAN MORRISSEY
