Metropolitan Opera's Don Giovanni: A Reflection of Moral Collapse
The Metropolitan Opera has revived Ivo van Hove's 2023 production of Mozart's Don Giovanni, which presents a world on the verge of moral collapse.
Van Hove's production features a bleak, monochromatic, and brutalist set, stripping away the traditional baroque ornamentation. This design choice creates a sense of isolation, alienation, and powerlessness, mirroring the psychological core of the opera.
The architecture itself becomes a metaphor for isolation, alienation, and powerlessness.
Under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the orchestra sets a tone of taut tension from the opening of Mozart's overture. Nézet-Séguin brings a blend of disciplined musical grounding, expressive freedom, and leadership, seeking not just precision, but emotional truth.
Author's summary: Metropolitan Opera's Don Giovanni production reflects a morally collapsing world.