At least the opening bit—the
film during the overture, and some of the action in the opera box (and a few other bits)—is not safe for work (NSFW).
I try not to be a prude; but every once in a
while, I channel my Mom and purse my lips and say things like, “That’s quite
unnecessary!” Then I channel my Dad, who would say something like, “Well! How ’bout
that?” (…meaning, “I’m not sure quite what
to think!”)
As I do so often, I waited till (virtually) the last minute to watch the current production of Don Giovanni at La Monnaie; and I haven't seen all of it yet. So far, I’d say we have
a wig-fest for a sex-obsessed Donna Anna (Barbara Hannnigan, who seems like an odd
choice, but is quite effective.) And another freaking-out Don Giovanni with a foot fetish and some interesting oral fixations (Jean-Sébastien Bou, whom I’d love to like
better, but frankly he seems maybe the weakest voice in the cast—of course Don
G is often the weakest character.) And another ironic, patient, and tolerant
Leporello* (Bass-baritone Andreas Wolf, sounding charmingly baritonish.)
The entire cast seems fully committed to Krzysztof Warlikowski's vision.
Don Giovanni – Jean-Sébastien Bou
Leporello – Andreas Wolf
Donna Anna – Barbara Hannigan
Donna Elvira – Rinat Shaham
Don Ottavio – Topi Lehtipuu
Zerlina – Julie Mathevet
Masetto – Jean-Luc Ballestra
Commendatore – Willard White
Choeurs de la Monnaie, Symfonieorkest van de Munt/Ludovic Morlot
Stage Director – Krzysztof Warlikowski
*This is kind of off-point, but I think Leporello and Donna Elvira are my favorite characters in this opera. I’d like to see a spin-off for them!
