Don Giovanni, English National Opera

Rufus Norris's iconoclastic production draws authentic chills

by Alexandra CoghlanSunday, 07 November 2010

Falling for him: Zerlina (Sarah Tynan) succumbs to Don Giovanni's (Iain Paterson) charmDonald Cooper

Theatricality has always been English National Opera’s go-to manoeuvre, the uppercut to the jaw of heavyweight international vocal talent up the road at Covent Garden. The witty provocations of last year’s Le Grand Macabre and even the bizarre excess of Rupert Goold’s Turandot upped the stakes, presenting this season’s directors with something of a challenge. Borrowing first from the world of the West End musical, ENO opted for Des McAnuff’s rather limp Faust. Now, looking to theatre and the edgy talent of Rufus Norris, comes a Don Giovanni electric with iconoclastic, if occasionally unfocused, energy.

A simple love song becomes an altogether more poignant and psychological affair

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Don Giovanni, Royal Opera review - laid-back Lothario

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