The Opera of All Operas

222 years ago today Don Giovanni premiered at the Estates Theater in Prague. We will come to a discussion of the opera in due time here, but for now enjoy a few selections of fine performances.

Overture

James Levine, conducting

Act I: Notte giorno faticar

Lorenzo Regazzo as Leporello. Madrid Teatro Real. 2005.

Act I: Madamina, il catalogo è questo

José van Dam (Leporello) and Kiri Te Kanawa (Donna Elvira). 

Don Giovanni (film) dir. Joseph Losey. 1979.

Act I: La ci darem la mano

Rodney Gilfry (Don Giovanni), Liliana Nikiteanu (Zerlina.) 

 Zürich. 2001.

Act II: Il mio tesoro intanto

Luigi Alva as Ottavio. 

Don Giovanni (film) dir. Teresa Stich-Randall. 1960.

Act II: Don Giovanni, a cenar teco

Samuel Ramey, Kurt Moll, and Ferruccio Furlanetto. 
The Metropolitan Opera. 1990.

A Few Recommendations

Productions available on DVD

1. Herbert von Karajan conducting the Wiener Philharmoniker. 1987.
2. Victor Pablo Pérez conducting the Madrid Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. 2005.

Books

1. Mozart and His Operas by David Cairns (Chapter, Don Giovanni)
2. The Classical Style by Charles Rosen (Chapter, Serious Opera)