Wrocław Opera: Don Giovanni

In the latest production of the Wrocław Opera, we explore the world of the infamous protagonist of the opera 'Don Giovanni', in the closed universe of human imagination envisioned by director André Heller Lopes.

With the amusing antics of the seducer Don Giovanni – Tomasz Rudnicki – the overture opens the realm of his imagination, submerged in memories recorded in the pages of notebooks, with hope gazing at the characters appearing in their characteristic poses in a space separated from him, which at that time was beyond his reach.

The doctor Leporello – Marco Camastra, who takes care of the spirit of his patient – is himself a part of his life. With each subsequent amusing moment of Mozart's work, he becomes more and more immersed in his world, subtly being seduced by him.

The symbolic killing of Donna Anna's father, the Commendatore, who in this production is a hospital chaplain, can be interpreted as Don Giovanni spiritually killing himself, thus opening the way for the realization of his further romantic plans.

The space of the hospital room is filled with five-story beds, each of the lower floors of such a bed can reflect the inner world and build intimacy. As the action progresses, it also becomes a peculiar labyrinth in which the characters seek a way out or each other. A good moment captured by the director is when all the seduced women and other characters are left behind the departing bars, and Don Giovanni feels a sense of freedom, escaping from responsibility and impunity. At this point, I would like to thank Tomasz Rudnicki for well-building his character; the character he created has something of the magic of a well-known seducer, charming with a grace that requires female care, humor, and lightness, along with a very convincing singing, especially in the balcony scene.

Each of the main characters was very distinctive, and it was a very good idea; the costumes (Sofia di Nunzio) were excellently matched to the personalities of the characters and the events in which they participated. The colorful leading characters made an impression, as each sung aria solo or in duet was a distinct little piece, a small world. The Latin accents greatly warmed and added fiery color to the emotions of Mozart's characters, who, against the backdrop of the subdued hospital staff, appeared to me as the most normal, distinctive, and interesting people.
Don Ottavio - Jędrzej Tomczyk, Donna Anna - Tatiana Gavrilova, Donna Elvira - Bożena Bujnicka, and the young couple Zerlina - Iwona Handzlik and Masetto - Sergey Borzov, as well as the Commendatore - Łukasz Konieczny, and also the choir and orchestra of the Wrocław Opera under the baton of Marcin Nałęcz-Niesiołowski, engaged the audience in the unfolding action of the genius of the musical work and led the libertine to the finale.

Just as the entire interpretation made by the director can be read in many variations, so too can the finale be interpreted in various ways. One interpretation could be the purification of Don Giovanni.
Iwona Karpińska
Photo: Krzysztof Bieliński

























Labyrinth,






Drowned in reminiscing about his romantic conquests, still submerged in his desires and experiencing fleeting happiness, in a joyful mood he dreams of further experiences.





Acquiring the skill of escaping from adversity, dreams, trophies – notebooks
Attracting the attention of victims, with false words