by Robert Rollin
On Saturday night, April 8, The Cleveland Opera gave an outstanding performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni at First Baptist Church in Shaker Heights. Despite the venue’s awkward acoustics and lack of a pit for the sizeable orchestra, conductor Grzegorz Nowak led a well-balanced performance that allowed the singers to be heard clearly. The opera flowed beautifully through its many intricate arias, recitatives, and ensembles, and all eight leads were in fine voice. [Read more…]
by Mike Telin
Beginning with its production of Mozart’s Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail in 1989, the company formerly known as Opera Circle Cleveland has presented eight of the composer’s musical dramas. This week, under the company’s new name, The Cleveland Opera will complete their survey of the Mozart-Da Ponte operas with two performances of Don Giovanni on April 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church.
“Knowing the challenges the opera presents, we’ve always said that we would produce Don Giovanni later, but now is the time,” executive artistic director Dorota Sobieska said during a telephone interview. “This is my favorite of the Da Ponte operas — the music is pure magic and it fits each character perfectly.” [Read more…]