Royal Opera`s Don Giovanni dress 9 June 07

Went to the ROH yesterday morning expecting to see Madame Netrebko for the
first time, but she cancelled due to an infection (& won`t sing on 11th or
13th June either).Any disappointment was very short lived as her place was
to be taken by Marina Poplavskaya (a memorable Rachel in La Juive in
concert, and to be Morticia`s replacement in Don Carlo). She was superb as
Donna Anna, as indeed was the rest of this very strongly cast revival of the
2002 Zambello production revived by Duncan Macfarland. Poplavskaya has a
gleaming top,accurate coloratura, rich lower notes and looks stunning with
her waist length blonde hair and svelte figure. Her `Non mi dir `was utterly
convincing and heart rending.She can act too! As can her colleagues, a true
`ensemble` rare at CG these days .Ana Maria Martinez was a diminutive but
feisty, proto feminist Donna Elvira, perhaps a little harder of tone than MP
on top but with even more gorgeous lower register (I wondered if she wasn`t
really a mezzo). Again terrific coloratura. Sarah Fox was a sexy Z, rather
knowing Zerlina and Matthew Rose not-so-dum as usual Mazetto. Kyle
Ketelsen`s Leporello was full of character and nuance, indeed he had to be
to keep up with the utterly superb Giovanni of Erwin Schrott. this guy has
it all! What a magnificent body (topless and `oiled up`for the entire last
scene)!!! Smooth, muscular, defined, pecs and abs to die for, washboard
stomach.........!!! And what a voice! Dark and forceful,huge even when
needed, but soft ,subtle and seductive most of the time, always classy and
aristocratic. His acting also was just right. What a charmer this Don G is ,
you can quite see why all those women fell for him, but he has a truly cruel
and manic streak, really dangerous. Overall a much stronger cast than when
this production was new. (Mr.Terfel eat your heart out!) and the final scene
with all its real flames still manages to thrill yet chill. Ticket price
worth it alone for Schrott, but a really strong act throughout, as well as
excellent chorus and orchestral work under the baton of Ivor Bolton.
Trev(UK)


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