Opera Reviews: Don Giovanni

Talented cast
Barbara - Beverly Hills

What an exciting production! On opening night, the ensemble in both acting and vocal interactions lit up the night. David Lomeli had a breathtaking moment in his second act aria, Bilgili was a charming, amusing and dominant stage presence throughout, and the Donnas were alternately ethereal and hair-raising. Caitlin Lynch has a glorious and elegant upper register, while Kelly Kaduce spanned a full range of acting and warmth with amazing vocal ease. Sarah Jane McMahon was not to be outshone, playing what evolved to be a zesty Snow White to her talented Masetto. Best of all, as Don Giovanni, Robert Gierlach was exuberantly naughty and his outstanding acting carried slower scenes. The vocal trio and closing sextet were simply luscious. Thanks, MOT for bringing all this talent to one stage!

Fantastic opening night
Barb Cook - Ann Arbor

Don Giovanni 4-10-10. That was a really fantastic production. Cast was first rate. Especially Don Ottavio, Leporello, Commendatore, and Donna Anna. Don Giovanni himself really "put out the effort."

The women saved Don Giovanni
David Berge - St. Clair Shores

First, let's start with the good: what a conscientious group of people we have at MOT. Imagine, receiving an email to tell you about potential traffic problems... that's first rate 'customer' service in anyone's book!!!

The pre-opera talk: once again, Professor Peace proves to be an under valued treasure. He's quirky, insightful, and very informative. I've been fortunate to attend several operas throughout the country and his pre-theater talks are frankly the best. MOT is fortunate to have him. WE are fortunate to have him.

The Performance. I guess Dr. DiChiera sort of 'warned' us about the perhaps over stated sexual theme.. but sadomasochism with the "self-flagellating players" at the start and during the finale seemed a bit over the top (albeit, "Don Giovanni" is a bit of an 'over the top' opera). Then again, no 'fire' at the finale... is there some sort of fire code preventing that? I don't think I've seen a performance of "DG" without the fires of hell at the finale....
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Lomeli transformed the role of Don Ottavio
Eduardo Lobo - Los Angeles

I think the singing was amazing. I was so delighted with MOT when they announced that David Lomeli was singing Mozart, normally you only see him in Puccini, Verdi or Donizetti. He represented the latino community in such a great way. I am a huge tenor fan. And to have this rare opportunity to hear him in this repertoire. I have never cried hearing Dalla sua pace, amazing delivery of the text. Hearing a major voice like his, not the usual Mozart voice (more a Rodolfo or Nemorino), making Don Ottavio not a wimpy man but a real honorable man was such a plus.

Also the women were fantastic, Kelly Kaduce its so full of passion and Caitlin Lynch is a joy to the ears. She has the easiest vocal production. Zerlina in Sarah Jane McMahon was just a bomb, beautiful and sexy, besides she sings with such a creamy tone.

Interesting voice the Masetto of Andrew Gray is, a little stiff in the acting part, but great voice. Rod Nelman was spectacular in his little appearance. The Leporello, Burak Bigili and Don Giovanni, Robert Gierlach were Italian speakers you could tell, they gave exactly was is needed from them, command of the text and telling the story in great articulation and shades.

Maestro Badea, was fantastic, sad the problems in intonation from the orchestra. Having such a great production and singers, I expected more of the theatrical approach.

Memorable night
Jonathan - Livonia

The show was wonderful! I took my daughter opening night for her first opera. What a magical time:) Bravo to the entire cast!

Opening night much better than Wednesday
Andrew - Michigan-New York

I enjoyed a lot Don Giovanni on opening night, but I did not understand for the second casting of Don Giovanni. I went again tonight, for second performance; it was a different and terrible Don Giovanni. I read all comments, I love all of them but mostly David Berge's comments. I think he does love the 2nd Don Giovanni or lover. Bravo 1st Don Giovanni and Leporello. Their voices were loud enough to hear and very good acting too. Next time Mr. Berge find better seats.

Again disappointed about 2nd Don Tonight!!! Miscasting, he should not ever come to Michigan again.

Bravi!

Bravo to the cast, staff, and orchestra
Nancy - Windsor

BRAVO!!!BRAVO!!! what an amazing cast of beautiful voices...from polite, courteous, helpful staff to the magnificent production in Don Giovanni...excellent job...should be so proud of yourselves...Orchestra--Bravo!!!

Thoroughly enjoyable
Amanda Dunham - Detroit

I LOVED Don Giovanni. It's amongst my top two favorites at the Detroit Opera House, along with Turandot. All singers were terrific; I particularly liked Elvira and Anna's solos in Act II. The orchestra was excellent, especially the first piece. The story is entertaining and on occasion has the audience laughing out loud. It's slightly and enjoyably (appropriately for adults) racy, from an opera perspective. The sets, costumes and special effects make it very interesting and keep your attention throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Opera Theatre produced a fantastic opera with broad appeal!

Could not be better
Barbara Klarman - Southfield

What can I say??? Simply sensational. It could not be better. All the singing, dancing, acting, orchestra, staging, etc. And hearing one of Mozart's greatest. The whole evening was just the best.

Keep it up, MOT!

Prepare for the opera
Nancy Yee - West Bloomfield

I wish I'd had time to read the program notes or listen to the opera talk before the performance. Although I loved the singing and costumes, I had a much better appreciation of the plot and how it related to history after reading the program!

David DiChiera's brain child
Conrad L. Donakowski - Okemos

Your Don G was all around the best production of this opera--or almost any opera--that I have ever seen in the most renowned houses of America or Europe. Every singing role great, orchestra great, and the staging made the story more clear than any other production.

How intuitive to allude obliquely to the story's origins as a morality play in the Church. The ironic aspects of a homily fascinated with the sin and the sinner were made historically accurate and entertaining. No pedantry, only profound fun.

How privileged is our region to enjoy David DiChiera's brain child.

All good wishes,

Conrad L. Donakowski
Professor of Musicology Emeritus
Michigan State University

Superior
Lorraine McDonnell - Troy

1st---The pre-opera talks are magnificent. Dr. Wallace Peace is one-of-a-kind!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have the greatest.

2nd---Don Giovanni was a superior production. BE PROUD!!

Magical
Chris - Rochester Hills

MOT's production of Don Giovanni was magical - truly an artistic, musical, and vocal masterwork. Bravo!

Note to Facilities Management: The balcony was uncomfortably warm for the Saturday evening (4/17) performance.

The men weren't loud enough
Marilyn Roubidoux - Ann Arbor

First, the women, (Lynch, Kaduce, McMahon) were perfect and thrilling. Lomeli and Gray were excellent.

Second, the voices of the two lead baritones (Turner, Lasch) were barely audible in the balcony, where the orchestra is rather loud, (sounded like someone singing in an apartment next door). These two were just 'ok' in volume when I moved to the first row of the main floor (!), but not equal in volume to the other voices. Masetto had a more robust baritone than the Don or Leporello. At $120 for the ticket, less thrilling than the other 3 Don's I've seen. Hopefully the other cast had larger voice male leads.

Orchestra and voices beautifully balanced
Nicola Rooney - Ann Arbor

Particularly enjoyable Sunday afternoon. Excellent singing in all roles, and beautiful balance between orchestra and voices. Great combination of drama and humor.

Great great great
Kim Akey - Novi

I loved the production of Don Giovanni. Great set, great singing, great music, great pre-show talk. What a great way to spend my Sunday afternoon.

Thank-you.

Kudos for the extras
John Slowik - Madison Hts

Went to the 4/18/10 performance of Don Giovanni. Excellent performance, the orchestra, singing was great, let's give some credit to all the extras...

Top to bottom
Michael - Oakland

What a wonderful cast from top to bottom. You certainly found the sexiest, most aristocratic and vocally compelling Don Giovanni in Randal Turner. Congratulations on a stunning success.

Bravo Randal Turner
Debra Lehr - Millersburg

I absolutely loved the production of Don Giovanni this past Saturday night, 4/17/2010. The cast was wonderful!!! I was particularly astounded by the lusciously rich-sounding, baritone, Randal Turner, who possessed not only exquisite vocal talent, but also was a fine actor!! I look forward to his return to the United States and a flourishing career! Bravo!!

Randal Turner was perfect
Vicki Honeyman - Ann Arbor

Fabulous! I attended the Saturday 4/17 performance...Randal Turner was a perfect heartthrob! Bravo and thank you for giving us the opportunity to see him perform the lead. (gorgeous too)!

Detroit has great opera
Jeff Dalton - Waterford

Great production. Saw the night with Randal Turner as DG. He, and the entire cast, did an excellent job! This is an incredibly difficult opera to sing, with non-stop singing for long periods. All of the voices were beautiful with energy and great presentation all night.

I thought the orchestra, which gets hardly a mention in the comments, was excellent. The winds were especially strong - first Bassoon, Flute, and Oboe were tops!

With everything going on in Detroit I'm thankful that we have such a great opera theater!

Jennifer Rowley part of a perfect cast
Wyona Mitchell - Dayton

4-16-10 was a fantastic production. The costumes and stage/set design were excellent; the cast was perfect! I especially enjoyed Donna Anna - Jennifer Rowley. What a beautiful voice. It appears this was her MOT debut - I hope to see her in many future productions.

Best ever
Elise - Ann Arbor

This is the best production of this opera that I have seen.

Standouts for me were all the women, whom I felt were superlative. Another standout was Randal Turner. His strong vocals and acting deliciously captured the character's charisma and magnetism.