Finally saw Kasper Holten's (Don) Juan film while the rest of Sweden's population was watching the next step in the Eurovision contest. "Not for the purist" Holten reputedly said about his work but who said opera films should be? Traditionalists can watch live opera regularly from the most traditional opera houses in the world as live cinema or on DVD. No, in his very contemporary filming of (most of) Mozart/da Ponte's opera Holten does what directors of opera films used to do in the old days - or Bergman in his Magic Flute, for that matter. He takes or leaves what suits his purpose.
British baritone cum actor (cum nude model http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K-p_Lr9mUQ) Christopher Maltman is one of the least unconvincing Don Juans of the day. That is great praise though it may sound faint as most others do not convince you at all that any greater mass of women would let them come near. Perhaps not a profound interpretation but most entertaining and for strictly Mozart there are other places to go ... Bravi, director Holten & ensemble of acting singers!
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