It concerns me when the dramatic standouts in a performance of Don Giovanni are Zerlina and Masetto.
This performance is beautifully sung, but not terribly engaging. I feel I must blame the director; I can’t imagine that all of these singers lack dramatic skills.
Smooth of voice, and easy on the eyes, Edwin Crossley-Mercer’s interpretation of the Don himself is rough-hewn and confined to a few stock facial expressions: mainly a sneer, a leer, a jeer, and just a little bit of fear. He does move nicely about the stage, he sounds marvelous, and as a bonus he is slender enough for Leporello to carry. But I feel he needs a good drama coach. He is so good at vocal interpretation, it’s kind of surprising to find him lacking in physical drama.
