Mozart - Don Giovanni “a fashion opera …”

Don Giovanni – Derek Welton

Leporello – Adam Leftwich (Roland Davitt)

Donna Anna – Kylie Pointer

Commendatore – Ronald Nairne

Don Ottavio – Stuart Haycock

Donna Elvira – Amy Radford

Zerlina – Eleanor Greenwood

Masetto – Ross McInroy

Jorge Balca – Director

Jessica Cottis – Music Director

Nuno Reis – Fashion Designer

Goodenough College, London – 10 October 2008

This was one of the most original and entertaining performances I have seen in a long time.   A genuine catwalk had been set up in the Great Hall of Goodenough College, with the audience seated all around, as they would be for a fashion show.

The Don Giovanni story fitted very neatly into the world of professional fashion models, and a racy modern dialogue by Marike van Aerde and Jorge Balca replaced the recitatives and gave the show an added punch.

Well thought out direction enabled the singers to parade Nuno Reis’s stylish costumes with a body language that reflected the attitudes and emotions of da Ponte’s characters. 

As the male super model “Gio” assumed a position of natural supremacy amongst the crowd of beautiful women, exasperated by their outbursts of emotion and delaying tactics: I almost felt sorry for him ...

There was also some very accomplished singing.  I was particularly impressed by Derek Welton in the title role, varying the colouring of his full toned baritone to suit the mood, the Donna Elvira of Amy Radford, with an impressive vocal agility, and the rock like determination of Ronald Nairne’s Comendatore.

Adam Leftwich, who had taken on the role of Leporello at very short notice, did so with unflappable composure.

The orchestral ensemble gave a lively showing under the baton of Jessica Cottis, and the reaction of a young and enthusiastic audience added to the high spirits of the evening – I am sure Mozart would have loved every minute of it!

Serena Fenwick

Photo "Elvira" credit - Brendan & Brendan