Mozart: Don Giovanni (3-CD) – Nicolai Ghiaurov

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Artists: Nicolai Ghiaurov, Gundula Janowitz, Stuart Burrows, Teresa Zylis-Gara, Geraint Evans, Olivera Miljakovic, Rolando Panerai, Victor von Halem, Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor, Wiener Philharmoniker
Conductor: Herbert von Karajan
Number of Discs: 3
Label: Orfeo
Release Date: May 20, 2024

Herbert von Karajan’s relationship with the operas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was quite ambivalent, especially in his early years. Later, however, he increasingly turned to these works and conducted Don Giovanni at the Salzburg Festival in a total of three different productions. This live recording from 1970 follows the 1968 production with a top-class cast of singers and takes its place among the legendary performances of the Salzburg Festival. 

The title role is sung by the Bulgarian bass Nicolai Ghiaurov, who, between the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, the Sofia Opera and La Scala in Milan had grown into a great dramatic singer. His Leporello was the equally strong Geraint Evans. The Welsh baritone had already proven his extraordinary abilities as a character actor at the Festival in 1962-67 as Mozart’s Figaro. As Donna Anna, Gundula Janowitz is at the zenith of her development, which was largely promoted by Karajan. Polish-born Teresa Zylis-Gara, successful as a Mozart singer at Glyndebourne and elsewhere, also fitted perfectly as Donna Elvira into Karajan’s concept of the role: sensitive, wavering between her pain and the feelings for Don Giovanni, which surface again and again.

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