Reviewed by Good News Reporter
Joanne Quinn-Smith
First of all I have to say for having been written in the
seventeen hundreds, the modern daytime soaps could not have done it
better. From Olympian numbers of sexual
partners to blatant anti-social behavior Don Giovanni was the stuff of dark
serial soaps. One could not help but get
caught up in the story, the musicality and the character development. Even if you do not understand Italian, you
could not escape any of this.
I read that one reviewer was distracted by the movable blockades
or banisters used for exits and entries of characters. I have to say that was
not a challenge for me. Actually I was
rather impressed with the changing of scenes without moving scenery. I found it very subtle and not distracting. I was too busy with the opera and its many
subplots to worry about the scenery.
However I did love the changing of the lighting colors on the chair in
the balcony. That was symbolically
impressive.
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| Don Giovanni and Zerlina David Bachman Photography |
My favorite male character however was the servant Leporello(Wayne Tigges) who although he rants and rails about his
master, really wants to be him as most of the men in the drama do. Mr Tigges wonderful body language was only surpassed by his voice. Also I was absolutely enthralled by the wily
and suggestive young maiden. Zerlina (Sari Gruber), who leavers her husband on their wedding
night to spend time with Don Giovanni. Again her playful antics matched her playful voice.
Developed better she was probably Don Giovanni’s moral or amoral
counterpart.
The cast was strong, the plot was stronger and just like so
many Titan classics, the story and the presentation left you wondering what
happened to the other characters when they no longer had Don Giovanni to color
their lives.
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| Don Giovanni-Hell! David Bachman Photography |
Unlike many operas which leave you humming an aria or tune
this was truly a story or many stories woven into one with drama, intrigue,
intense character development and true entertainment value. I especially like that there really was no
triumph of good over evil as the vengeful goals of many of the characters
actually pulled them down to Don Giovanni’s level. There was actually a lot of grey area as to
the morality of the play. But true to
the times, morality was very pragmatic at the time. Even though written two hundred years after
The Prince, the Machiavellian spirit has prevailed on the story line of this
opera.
Don Giovanni runs through Sunday, November 11, 2012
Additional information at: http://www.pittsburghopera.org/shows/view/30
Radio Host and Serial Blogger, Joanne Quinn-Smith is the
host of PositivelyPittsburghLive™ Internet Talkcast and TechnoGrannyShow™ On her shows, Joanne has interviewed over 1800
guests. As an advocate for small
Business, she was awarded the National Small Business Administration Journalist
of the Year Award. She is also the
publisher of PositivelyPittsburghLiveMagazine.com which is a 2010 National
Stevie Award finalist for best Media Website or Blog. PPL Mag features the GOOD
NEWS, about Pittsburgh and is Pittsburgh’s First internet radio and TV
network. PPL Mag attracted 2.25 million visitors last year. Her radio network has accumulated over one
million listeners. The Creative Energy Officer of Dreamweaver Marketing
Associates, Joanne also teaches her online media platform building to small
businesses in a client personalized, “Web2.0 Gorilla Branding Training™”. Connect with Joanne at: http://joannequinnsmith.com
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