Rating: 
Summary: One of the top 4 Don Giovanni videos
Review: I liked almost everything about this performance and have it on VHS and Laser, (not DVD yet), and the sound was fine. I only found the camera shots too long and lighting too dim in places. I thought the singing and conducting excellent. Thomas Allen is still my favorite Don, however, I also like the Raimondi and Ramey videos as well and put the new Cologne DVD with Allen, Vaness, Rost, James & Furanlento (sp.) with James Conlon conducting as the top four videos of this opera. They are all so different that all four are worth collecting. Recommend this one and sure DVD is probably improved over the media I own.
Rating:
Summary: One of the top 4 Don Giovanni videos
Review: I liked almost everything about this performance and have it on VHS and Laser, (not DVD yet), and the sound was fine. I only found the camera shots too long and lighting too dim in places. I thought the singing and conducting excellent. Thomas Allen is still my favorite Don, however, I also like the Raimondi and Ramey videos as well and put the new Cologne DVD with Allen, Vaness, Rost, James & Furanlento (sp.) with James Conlon conducting as the top four videos of this opera. They are all so different that all four are worth collecting. Recommend this one and sure DVD is probably improved over the media I own.
Rating:
Summary: MEN ARE GOOD, ZERLINA IS WONDERFUL, OTHER WOMEN DISTANT
Review: I MUST WATCH THIS AGAIN BUT INITIAL IMPRESSION IS THAT DONNA ANNA AND DONNA ELVIRA ARE PLAYED AS TOO DISTANT, TOO SELF CENTERED AND SHRILL TO INTEREST DON GIOVANNI. ZERLINA IS ANOTHER DELIGHTFUL, EXCITING MOZART 'CHERUBINO' ROLE (same woman plays churbino in last met figaro?) ZERLINA'S BOY FRIEND IS THE BEST MALE. OVERALL WELL WORTH BUYING FOR THE MUSIC. BETTER VALUE THAN THE AUDIO ALONE CD.
Rating:
Summary: Mutti's 'Don Giovanni'
Review: Mozart's operas have never been the easiest to set, and this production's director does little to alleviate that stigma. The sets are austere and repetitive, the costume design is good but hackneyed by overuse, and the lighting often obscures the more delicate details of the staging. But, if the backdrop to the music is slightly disappointing, the music itself is anything but. Mutti leads a roaring interpretation that lets down neither his lightning fast tempo nor the jubilent spirit at the heart of Mozart's music.The casting is superb! From Zerlina (Metzner), meek and innocent (even through her final curtain call) to Leoporello (Desderi) whose antics on the stage make us fall in love with his character to Thomas Allen's Don Giovanni who is the perfect blend of regality and wickedness. All around this is the best recording of Don Giovanni available on DVD, and one those eager to aquire Mozart's grand masterpiece in this format first need look in to.
Rating: 
Summary: Impossible to be better!
Review: This has got to be the best version of Don Giovanni that I have ever seen. I have never been more moved by an opera in my entire life. I also wrote a review on another version of this opera, but I'd have to say that this one is so much better. If you ever get any version of Don Giovanni be sure to get this one. It truly is worth the money to see Riccardo Muti conduct a beautiful opera withThomas Allen as Don Giovani. Trust me, it is wonderful, & breathtaking!
Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful production values
Review: This is a poor use of the DVD format - obviously just a copy from a video version. There are no DVD features, aside from chapter search. The production values are just awful - grainy, fuzzy, dark.
Rating:
Summary: Masetto Is Hot!
Review: This is the best performance of Don Giovanni that I have seen yet.Except for a little backround noise, it was really great.I loved Thomas Allen's and Natale De Carolis's singing.The sets were also very nice.I happen to think that Zerlina was a little smarmy, but she sang well.This opera was recorded nicely,and I would reccomend it to anyone.I wish I saw it live!
Rating:
Summary: fine production of fabulous opera
Review: This La Scala production of one of the greatest operas ever written is a delight to watch. The cast is excellent with fine voices and some pretty impressive acting for opera singers. If you can draw your attention away from the marvelous singing, keep an eye on the interactions of the singers. The staging is thoughtfully done. The setting is dark but elegant in keeping with the content of the opera and creates an appropriate period mood. The camera work is commendable -- carefully zooming in when needed, giving ensemble views as appropriate and occasionally showing the orchestra director superimposed on the picture. While there aren't many frills on the DVD, the very fact of scene searches allows you to go quickly to your favorite arias and hear them again and again. Mozart's music is easily accessible to a beginning opera listener and continues to delight an experienced listener. If you have any interest in opera, I would recommend this dvd.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't live up to the ridiculous price
Review: This production wasn't all THAT bad, but the acting was pretty much non-existent, except for perhaps Zerlina and/or Masetto. Allen seemed like he wasn't completely in the role of Giovanni, Gruberova could have used a little more makeup and acting, as far as Murray...well...she could have done more, especially during the "let me show you how many women Don Giovanni has slept with all over Europe" aria instead of just standing there like a dead stump, and Leporello could have given more emotion, in my opinion. And I do have to say that the entire statue scene could have been a little better. I just couldn't seem to buy into it.HOWEVER... The singing was quite good in parts, especially in terms of Gruberova and Mentzer. That, at least, gave this DVD some redemption, but I still don't think it's worth nearly [the price]. My advice? Borrow it from a friend or try to find a copy of this in the library before buying it. It's certainly something that can wait.
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