Mozart - Don Giovanni - Hampson, Gruberova - Harnoncourt 19893CDs - DDD 63'43, 50'29, 57'44
Teldec 1991
Thomas Hampson, Edita Gruberova, Barbara Bonney, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Roberta Alexander, Anton Scharinger, Laszlo Polgar, Robert Holl
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra & Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Gruberova's Donna Anna is more delicate than fiery but her coloratura, controlled and haunting, soars through her arias with her typical finesse; she really shimmers. Bonney is the perfect Zerlina, a true Mozartian angel voice but spirited and flirtatious; Alexander as Elivira has exquisite top notes of sheer beauty. Hampson's Don Giovanni does not seem to be a graceful nobleman. He is sometimes a rough bully and then, in seductive moments, has the most tenderly romantic voice. His rushed Brindisi sounds a bit forced, but his Serenade is meltingly effortless. Does Harnoncourt want to downplay the orchestral accompaniment to highlight the beautiful voice?? Masetto, especially Masetto, and the Commendatore are rich, well-acted, and finely sung. Where this recording becomes a must-hear is in the ensemble work between all the voices, each beautifully matched to the other. Their harmonies are stunning; no one leaps out of place.-- Amazon cuxtomer
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