Don Giovanni

Mozart: Don Giovanni
BBC / Opus Arte

And the singing is almost universally fine. If one of the cast is to be named above the rest, that should be Joyce DiDonato, an outstandingly accomplished Elvira, brilliantly projected, interestingly conceived, her singing concentrated in tone. –  Gramophone, July 2009

It is a thrill to watch this two-disc Blu-ray recording of Mozart’s ever-popular Don Giovanni, performed last fall at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The high-def experience often feels more vivid than sitting in the auditorium itself. It is a pleasure to watch great performances like these on a big screen in the comfort of home.

The first-rate cast, crisp orchestral direction of veteran Mozart master Charles Mackerras and unfussy staging by Francesca Zambello add up to terrific opera.

…but Joyce DiDonato blows everyone off the stage whenever she appears as Donna Elvira.

–  The Toronto Star , May, 2009

* * * * * Zambello makes Simon Keenlyside’s harsh and diabolical Don Giovanni and Kyle Ketelsen’s embittered Leporello a double-act of deadly dependency. This contrasts tellingly with the mutual support and solidarity of three feisty and independent women: Marina Poplavskaya’s noble, almost other-worldly Donna Anna, Joyce DiDonato’s thrillingly anguished, gleamingly voiced Donna Elvira, and Mia Persson’s sturdy but sensuous country lass of a Zerlina.

–  BBC Music , June, 2009