Opera
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Don Giovanni
libreto
Lorenzo da Ponte
Orchestra, Ballet and Choir of the National Theatre Opera
conductor
Sir Charles Mackerras
Don Giovanni: Andrej Besčastnyj, Il Commendatore: Dalibor Jedlička,
Donna Anna: Naděžda Petrenko, Don Ottavio: Vladimír Doležal,
Donna Elvira: Jiřina Marková, Leporello: Luděk Vele,
Masetto: Zdeněk Harvánek, Zerlina: Alice Randová
stage director: David Radok,
set and costumes designer: Tazeena Firth
live on 1st December 1991, the Estates Theatre, Prague
Mozart wrote his opera Don Giovanni on a commission for Prague where it was also first performed on October 29, 1787, in the Estates Theatre, which is the only existing theatre where Mozart conducted two world premieres of his operas. The second opera - La clemenza di Tito - took place in 1791. The building of the Estates Theatre was thoroughly and perfectly reconstructed between 1983 and 1991 to preserve its original appearance. Operatic performances were resumed there on December 1, 1991, on the occasion of the bicentenary of Mozart´s death, with a new production of Don Giovanni. This recording of that solemn performance is a unique documentary of a momentous event and of an original production.
Andrei Beschasny was born in Kiev where he studied drama and later singing. Then his education was taken over by the well-known singer, national artist Larisa Rudienko, his grandmother. He is a soloist in the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Kiev. He has also been successfully performing abroad, mainly in Germany, Finland and Canada.
director: Michal Caban
time: 154 min.