FFWD Weekly
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| Opera by Gaelle Eizlini Don Giovanni Scoundrel, rogue, cad, or knave – you’d be hard pressed to run out of adjectives to describe Don Giovanni, the central character of Mozart’s opera, which is the latest offering from Calgary Opera. With a colossal libido, he travelled to Italy, France, Turkey and back home to Spain in search of women to add to his list of sexual conquests. Nothing in petticoats escaped Giovanni’s notice. Nor was he above using force to overcome the more reluctant, or virtuous, souls. Small wonder then that his final tally numbered just above 2,000. Don Giovanni has something for everyone: comedy, drama, terror and sex. With all of these elements it is as timely as ever. But da Ponte’s libretto owes much of its success to music’s terrible child, Mozart. It is widely considered to be not only one of Mozart’s best, but one of the best operas ever composed. Performing the role of Zerlina – a young bride-to-be and would-be conquest of the aristocrat – in the Calgary Opera adaptation is Quebec-born soprano Nathalie Morais. Effusive and lively, with an easy laugh, Morais is perfect for the role. "I like to let loose," Morais admits. "Zerlina is a lyrical part, with soft moments as well as opportunities to open the vent. There is a beautiful range." But Morais sees in Zerlina more than just composition for an accomplished vocalist. She finds the complexities of the young woman a fitting challenge for someone such as herself, who has, since turning professional nearly five years ago, had to adapt to such things as language barriers and relocating to a new province. "She is not a character with a great deal of integrity," concedes Morais, "on her wedding day she allows Giovanni to seduce her. She’s uncomplicated, but not stupid. She’s quick to realize she’s goofed, quick to see it’s Masetto (her intended) who she really loves, not Giovanni." Mozart mixes drama and comedy so expertly that Don Giovanni can be staged in innumerable ways, not necessarily something that can be done with every opera. "Last time I did Don Giovanni, the production was tamer, more family-oriented, something that you could bring children to see," says Morais. "This one is far more adult, loaded with more sexual tension." |
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