Royal Opera's Don Giovanni - reviews of Mozart opera
An ingenious staging of Mozart's comic melodrama makes for a dizzying but unforgettable evening
What you need to know
A new production of Don Giovanni, staged by the Royal Opera House director Kasper Holten, has opened at Covent Garden to positive reviews. Mozart's 1787 opera with a libretto in Italian is based on the legends of the fictional seducer Don Juan.
Mozart blends comedy and melodrama in this tale of Don Giovanni's odyssey of sexual conquests across Europe accompanied by his patient servant Leporello. But when the libertine commits murder, he triggers a supernatural revenge. Runs until 12 February.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What the critics like
In Holten's "meticulously" directed Don Giovanni the staging is exceptionally thoughtful, the pace is sure, and the "characterisations and relationships are sharply but subtly drawn", says Rupert Christiansen in the Daily Telegraph. Es Devlin's handsome set and some captivating singing make for an invigorating evening.
Holten's direction is "assured", says Michael Hall in The Independent. There's an atmosphere of French farce to the dizzying to-and-fro of gorgeously-costumed figures passing through virtual-reality doors, but the drama gains steadily in force thanks to the beauty of the singing and the ingenious set.
Holten's new staging of one of the trickiest of all repertory pieces is "a genuine success", says George Hall on The Stage. Visually this is a fascinating evening with a set conjuring an infinity of Escher-like spaces and while not always readily explicable it is invariably resonant and thought-provoking.
What they don't like
Veterans of Don Giovanni should find this production penetrating, though "first-time goers may be as lost in the maze as half the cast are", says Neil Fisher in The Times. This production is so loaded with ideas and imagery that it feels like three shows in one, but like an encounter with the Don it's very hard to forget.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Shardlake: a 'tightly plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television'
The Week Recommends Arthur Hughes captivates in this 'eminently watchable' Tudor murder mystery
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Major League Baseball is facing an epidemic of pitcher's injuries
Under the Radar Many insiders are blaming the pitch clock for the rise in injuries — but the league is not so sure
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
8 movie musicals that prove the screen can share the stage
The Week Recommends The singing and dancing, bigger than life itself
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure
The Week Recommends An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published