Review: Outstanding 'Don Giovanni' on West Bay Opera stage Review: Outstanding 'Don Giovanni' on West Bay Opera stage (May 26, 2004)

by Bryan Wiggin
Almanac Theater Critic

West Bay Opera is presenting a thoroughly outstanding production of Mozart's "Don Giovanni." It is magnificently sung, acted with character, and handsomely staged.

This was Mozart's second collaboration with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, and is a retelling of the Don Juan story. In this rendering, the don is thoroughly a villain, who, in his attempted seductions, is not above resorting to rape. Indeed, his only virtue is courage.

In the opening scene, his servant Leporello (Todd Robinson) grumbles about serving such an ungrateful master. Giovanni (Kirk Eichelberger) enters gripping Donna Anna (Shana Blake Hill), who has just repelled his brutal advances. Her father, the Commendatore (Paul Thompson), responds to her cries for help, and Giovanni kills him in a duel.

As Leporello reproaches his master, they are interrupted by Donna Elvira (Elizabeth Caballero, alternating performances with Lori Decter), one of the don's conquests, but one of so many that at first he doesn't recognize her. He escapes, and Leporello sings his famous catalogue aria, detailing to Elvira the number of his master's conquests in various countries, concluding with Spain, where the number is "Mille e tre" -- one thousand three. This is superbly done by Mr. Robinson, with comic acting in his gestures as well as his voice.

In the countryside, Giovanni spies a pretty peasant lass, Zerlina (Kimarie Torre), and decides to have her. He sends the other peasants to his castle for feasting -- including, with the threat of his sword, Zerlina's fiance, Masetto (Nikolaus Schiffmann). He entreats Zerlina to come to a little house he owns, leading to one of Mozart's most beautiful melodies, the duet "La' ci darem la mano" -- "There you will give me your hand." Mr. Eichelberger and Ms. Torre sing this beautifully.

Donna Elvira enters and warns Zerlina of Giovanni's faithlessness. Donna Anna also arrives, accompanied by her suitor, Don Ottavio. When left alone, Ottavio sings that he is happy only if Anna is happy. In a highlight of the production, this is done with beautiful sensitivity and feeling by Todd Wilander.

Another highlight is Giovanni's "Champagne aria" -- swift and virtuosic, and tossed off by Mr. Eichelberger with easy articulation.

The story goes back and forth, with many comic twists, culminating with the statue of the slain Commendatore declining Giovanni's invitation to dinner and inviting the don to dine with him. Fearless to the end, Giovanni accepts, and is consumed by the flames of hell. But this scene is the only disappointment in the production. Instead of an attempt at flames, strobe lights flash our eyes. It's a distraction, and it doesn't work.

But everyone sings superbly. The only weakness is a touch of harshness in Ms. Hill's highest and fullest notes, but this is a trifle. She, and everyone else, sings expressively and unfailingly on pitch. All of them, after various numbers, receive applause and bravos.

Music director David Sloss has the singers well-balanced and, despite a little roughness in the violins, draws solid and supportive playing from the small orchestra. Stage director Kenneth Tigar generates good acting and plenty of action. The sets of Peter Crompton are very handsome, the costumes of Richard W. Battle are beautiful, and the lighting of Chad Bonaker is consistently effective.

As you might have surmised, I enjoyed this production thoroughly. I wish I had more space in which to praise it.

Information : West Bay Opera is presenting Mozart's "Don Giovanni," with libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto through May 30. For information, call 424-9999 or visit www.wbopera.org.

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