Students in the Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning program saw Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia on April 23, 2014.
Who was that masked man? As the legendary rake Don Juan leaves a trail of jilted lovers and mayhem in his wake, Mozart’s alternately mischievous and harrowing masterpiece of mistaken identity reveals the charmer’s darkest side. With an ingeniously playful staging of masquerades, trapdoors and mirrored panels, witness the genre's most infamous scoundrel in this timeless classic of comedy and tragedy.
Participating students are encouraged to share their thoughts on the opera by posting their reviews here. All reviews, positive and negative, will be accepted, just make sure to include your:
- FIRST NAME
- GRADE
- SCHOOL
Tell us what you liked about the story, the sets, your favorite character, or your favorite scene, and more.
Don't forget to support your opinion in 50 words or more!
Thanks!
Comments
After seeing Don Giovanni, I had lots of mixed feelings. The actors and singing were incredible, but i wasn't a fan of the set. From first seeing La bohème last year (which was fantastic all around) to seeing Don Giovanni, I was a little disappointed. The sets in Don Giovanni were kind of plain and didn't have much difference. I did like the hanging pictures, moving walls, and traps door though. Another thing that caught me off guard were some of the very touchy scenes. I know the opera was about a womanizer, but I wasn't expecting what had happened. Also because my class went through the whole libretto and read the script aloud, I was expecting Donna Anna's father's statue to be an actual statue that was standing. I felt it might have confused people still seeing the tomb and then her father's ghost walking out aside the tomb. Another thing was when Don Giovanni was about to be dragged down into hell, I was expecting more red lights and demons almost pulling at him, making the scene much more dramatic. Once again, the singing and acting was outstanding, but the set didn't quite catch my eye.
Don Giovanni was an opera that entertaining to see. The story itself was interesting. Prior to going to the opera, my vocal teacher had the class read the Study Guide, which helped me a lot in understanding the story better..
I liked how it was serious at times but then there would be that one part where you could laugh. I didn't really like Act I as much as I did Act II.
My favorite character was Leporello. I liked Leporello because he knew what type of person Don Giovanni was but still remained faithful as a servant to him. My least favorite character was Donna Elvira. It seemed as if she was obsessed with Don Giovanni. She had already been hurt once by him and allowed to be hurt by him again.
My experience at the opera show wise was great, but at some parts, kids were laughing at things that weren't really funny. I think that 8th grade through 12 grade should have seen this opera. Some of the scenes were too mature and inappropriate for young children.
This is the second opera that I went to and it was the best one. Overall, this was a wonderful opera to see and an amazing experience. I am glad that I went and honestly wouldn't mind seeing it again!
I really enjoyed Don Giovanni. As a musician I was always watching the pit. I really enjoyed how the instruments were able to play and sound like one instrument. I was also impressed with how the pit was sunk under the stage. I also enjoyed the comic releif that Laperello provided for the show. All together this was a great show and I would recommend it to anyone over 13 because there were some very "interesting" scenes.
Archbishop Wood
Grade 12
The opera itself was very good and manged to keep to interested. The performers were very talented people. However, the execution of a lot of the scenes bothered me. The minimal props and odd lighting confused me more than anything, and left me more interested in /where/ the scene was or /what/ certain props were doing in certain scenes rather than the performance itself. For example, the entrance of the statue was made entirely less dramatic than it should have been by the tomb already being in Don Giovanni's dining room (for no apparent reason). The demons in the death scene underwhelmed me as I was expecting something Christmas Carol-ish with ghosts and rattling chains. In addition, while I realize the lyrics say what they do and they must be sung as written, many of the motions and actions were a bit exaggerated and made it just a bit too modern and comical for my taste. The crude motions and intense focus on sex was too much, and took too much away from the true beauty in the lyrics and opera itself. I did enjoy myself, though, and regret that, as a senior, I will not be able to experience the opera again with my school.
To begin, though i understand it was only a rehearsal, i noticed problems with the subtitles and general stage set up. because i was seated in the amphitheater i was able to see some of the characters on deck when they weren't supposed to be visible. I also was able to see a ladder in the back that i was positive wasn't supposed to be seen. aside from that, i enjoyed most of the set design. The sliding sets and smoothness of it all added a sense of professionalism to the show and it was extremely eye pleasing. Lastly, on the note of the stage, i really wanted Don Giovanni's descent into hell to be more dramatic. It was in my opinion that the urgency and sense of danger at the end of act 1 before the intermission should have also been applied to the last scene.
In addition, though some of the scenes were suggestive, and you did send out a warning about the possible explicit material, some of the students there shouldn't have attended.I think that some of the intended romantic scenes were interpreted wrongly due to the fact of their lack of reaching a appropriate age. when Zerlina sang her song about her " special medicine" , people were laughing and i was unsure of how to react. If anything, an age restriction should have been placed on it. also, in regards to the other schools, my show wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been because of the fact some of the kids around them were misusing their privilege to be there. Next to me, a school was talking, someone brought buttered popcorn with them, another a few rows above me brought a toddler and began playing some type of app game. It was more complicated than need be, to enjoy the talents of all of the actors who preformed for that reason. I believe proper etiquette should have been taught to many of them and it astounded me how many people dressed so casually to a place of such prestige.
Something else i picked up on, was the pits talent. I was astounded by what a beautiful and on point way of playing resonated throughout the entire auditorium.To them, i had no complaints. I really enjoyed Don Giovanni and the actor and vocalist who preformed as him. As a performer, he i felt what he wanted me to feel. Anger, Repulsion, Anxiety, and somehow, i found Don Giovanni to be my favorite character. His servant also made me laugh because of how blunt or forward he was. I understood the innuendos and subtle comedic hints and i enjoyed how Mozart intertwined the idea of an egotistical maniac with a obsessive need for affection and violence to a plot line that is sadly still relevant today. ( It probably always will be. ) Through this opera, he managed to show what scheming and adultery can lead to, and in the end, if regretful and pompous, there would only be one place you would go to.
Lastly, i enjoyed the entire experience, though i witnessed a few instances of slip ups, id recommend anyone aged 14 or older to watch and enjoy the amazement and splendor that is evident in the production of this opera. The actors and directory were honestly breathtaking and astounding to witness, and if given the opportunity to attend another show, i would jump at the idea and run. It is a great program and idea in general that the Philly opera has crafted. It gave a average 10th grader such as myself the chance to crate an unforgettable memory, and helped to deepen my appreciation for the art form that is opera, which is under rated within the youth of today. It was a well executed show and i am grateful for the opportunity to have attended. Invite my school back! Have a lovely day and thank you for reading.
Grade: 10
School: Archbishop Wood
This is my second year seeing a play at the Philadelphia Opera, the first year I went I saw La Boheme. La Boheme was a really good and impressive play but it was very confusing to understand. This year, when I saw Don Giovanni I really understood it and I did enjoy the play but I did think that at some points it was inappropriate. I thought that the stage, set and music was outstanding! I thought that how the pictures and sets moved into each new scene was amazing. What I enjoyed most about the play was the music, I love to hear people singing like that and it was very impressive to me! I will continually come back with my school, and I cannot wait to see the next play! Thank You.
Grade 6
Lansdowne Friends School
My experience at the opera was one I'll never forget. I liked that at the opera there was cooperation between the performers and audience that meant we had to be respectful for them to perform. Don Ottavio was my favorite character because he was sensible and reasonable in my eyes. I liked the costumes because they captured the emotions and intentions of the characters, especially Don Giovanni. The one thing that I feel could have been improved was the detail in the settings.
Grade 5
Lansdowne Friends School
I liked the opera because it was funny but it also taught a lesson. My favorite character was Leporello because he was funny and loyal. I think he was loyal to the wrong person. Don Giovanni was awful to Leporello and was willing to put his life on the line. I really, really liked the costumes, especially all the beautiful dresses. I thought the sets could have been a bit more detailed.
Grade 5
Lansdowne Friends School
I like the opera because all the characters turned on Don Giovanni and tried to kill him. I disliked that fact that Donna Elvira still loved Don Giovanni after he seduced and left her. I actually liked Leporello because he was funny and smart enough to stop serving Don Giovanni and stand up for himself.
Grade 6
Lansdowne Friends School
The experience at the opera was fascinating. I liked the opera because it's just like modern day sit-coms but it was live. You can see and feel how our entertainment has been molded by opera. My favorite character was Don Giovanni because I loved to hate him. He is the example of how not to act. I liked how the stage was set up, but it needed to change a bit more from scene to scene. It also needed a trap door instead of a slide to Hell.
Grade 6
Lansdowne Friends School
I really liked the opera and dressing up for it. The workbook was fun and I learned a lot from it. My favorite character was Donna Elvira. She tried to protect girls from Don Giovanni the whole time. She was a strong character and spoke her mind. I thought Donna Elvira in the libretto was very different from Donna Elvira in the performance, I prefer her as the version we saw in the performance. The costumes were great. The sets weren't great. There were few props to make the setting, it looked boring.
Grade 5
Lansdowne Friends School
I disliked the opera because it was a different language and the translator at the top wasn't helping. I liked it because it was a new experience. I had never been to the opera before. My favorite character was the statue because he stopped don Giovanni. In the beginning of the opera there was a picture on stage and it made no sense to me. I also didn't like the dark curtain that kept drawing down, it started to confuse me.
This was my first opera ever and I have to say that im glad I had some sort of idea of what I was going to see because other wise I would have been lost. I thought that the singing was beautiful but the opera itself was very confused and not explain. I also thought some of it was very inappropriate for the audience. I understand it wasn't the opening night but I thought it could have been better.
this was my first opera ever and Im very lucky that I knew a background of this opera because otherwise I would have no idea what was going on. the singing was beautiful but the opera wasn't well put together or appropriate for its audience. there were problems with lighting and the story was not explained at all so it was very hard to follow. I was a little disappointed when I saw this opera.
Don Giovanni is the best opera I have ever seen. This was actually my very first opera but I think nothing could top the performance of the actors and orchestra. The opera was so thrilling, exciting, it was just MARVELOUS! My favorite part of the opera was the finale when Donna Anna's father came back as a spirit to get Don Giovanni to repent his sins. Instead he don't repent so he descends into hell. I loved it! I loved the humor of the opera and singing. My favorite character was Don Giovanni. His costume and his humor went with his personality PERFECTLY! In addition, his acting and singing. Every costume was perfect for each character. I especially liked the way the creator of this opera used the same objects to do different scenes. No scenes felt the same which was perfect. It was creative and BRILLIANT. Keep this up! I hope to see another of your great operas.
While attending the performance of the opera Don Giovanni, I would say that I really enjoyed myself. I liked this particular opera because I enjoyed the plot which centralizes the main character of the opera and his adventures of seducing random women and bringing a lot of misfortune to those particular women and other people that they associate with. I also enjoyed the musical background that the orchestra pit provided. I think that the music was one of the key factors that made the opera very good. The music was able to blend in well with the action of the plot. In addition, my favorite character of the opera was Donna Anna. She was able to show enough strength in the opera after her father's death. Furthermore, she was very persistent about getting revenge on Don Giovanni. In other words, her unique character traits helped her become my favorite character. I also liked the sets and costumes. I liked the sets because they were able to help the audience (including myself) to capture the setting of the opera. In addition, I liked them because they helped the audience capture/visualize the characters' appearance, which helped the audience create their personal assumption of each character and their characteristics. In general, I enjoyed myself and like all of the scenes, characters, sets, and costumes while attending Don Giovanni.
My experience at the opera was great. The time each scene took was perfect and the way the characters interacted with each other was amazing. One of my opinions that I would like to point out is the way the stage was set with the props and lights. The props and lights made me feel as if I was actually in the story watching each character react to one another in front of me. The main character Don Giovanni was my favorite character because he was part of every main event which contained a lot of action. For example, when Don Giovanni fought the commendatore, Don Giovanni moved fast with his sword which led the commendatore to die. Without the costumes that were being used I would not be much excited. The costumes set the setting and reminded me through the scenes that I was watching a story that started hundreds of years ago.
This was my first opera I've been to and I loved it. The orchestra was amazing and the songs were so beautiful. I did think Donna Anna's aria was a little too long for my attention span, but it was beautiful. The actors and actresses were so good and brought it to life. The special effects were very interesting, especially when Donna Anna's father came back to life. My favorite character was Don Giovanni. Not because of the horrible things he did, but because he was funny. My favorite singer was Donna Elvira. Her voice was so angelic and beautiful. Although there was a big language gap, I can really say that I love opera. Hopefully I will see many more operas and maybe understand a few words and phrases.
The opera was fantastic! I've been to so many operas, but this was a very interesting one. This opera was not like the other ones, a lot of operas tell stories that have something either about love, tragedies and more drama. This one told more than about love, it helped me to understand that doing the wrong things in life will lead you in a situation that you can't get out of. Also it taught me to try and fix the wrong things and how I think. Everyone always says what goes around comes back around....So this play was one of the best I've experienced. The last thing is the characters were awesome. Singing for about 3 hours straight is like "WOW!!!" I'm a singer myself, I sing in a choir called Joy Unlimited Movement, so hearing them sing is inspiring to a young person.
I love the way they had each school seated in the theater. I love the way the theater was built so elegant. You can tell they took their time when they built the theater. You can see it in the detailed carvings of the pillars and the symbols on each of the balconies. My favorite character was Don Giovanni. The actor played the part with such concentration and charisma and pride, his performance just touched my heart. I absolutely loved the set and costumes because it took absolute dedication and patience to make everything perfect. From the mirror-like wall to the color-changing wall. The lighting was perfect for every scene.
I enjoyed the opera immensely because of how entertaining the opera was overall. The characters were distinct in their own personal way and the singers who performed then executed their individual personas marvelously. My favorite character by far was Don Giovanni. His seductive powers toward the women is not a characteristic you see in many characters in entertainment unless you want to look at Barney Stinson from the hit sitcom "How I Met Your Mother." We can't forget the nonchalant attitude Don Giovanni has toward the actions of women he seduces. I loved the sets and costumes of the Opera. It really helped me get enticed to what I was watching. It was simplistic, yet elegant at the same time, which is an aspect I thoroughly enjoyed about the opera.
I enjoyed the opera more than I thought I would. I liked it because it was funny and entertaining. It was pretty slow at first, but overall good. My favorite character was Masetto because his actions were funny and he probably was the only real victim of Giovanni. My favorite singer was Elvira because she had a pretty voice and her songs were entertaining. The sets were pretty--especially the ballroom scene with the curtains and when Giovanni was dropped from the stage when he died. Not many negatives to say, and I would like to see another opera.
6th Grade
Bala Cynwyd Middle School
This past Wednesday, I was able to attend the final dress rehearsal for the Don Carlo opera in the Philadelphia Academy of Music. To me, the theater arts really stood out, starting with the set design, and costumes, and ending with the great lighting to leave a mysterious effect on the audience. What amazed me the most was that, with just a simple change of lighting and adding another prop, the whole set design changed. For example, during the third scene, they added sand and some gates, changing the set from the auto-da-fé scene where Don Carlo was arrested, to the prison where Don Carlo was being held. Overall, I was amazed by how much a stage could change by adding even just a few simple chairs.