Review: Don Giovanni returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago with a timely 1920s staging

The Lyric Opera of Chicago has reopened its season with a compelling revival of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, reimagined through a 1920s Spanish lens. This production, originally crafted in 2014 for the company’s 60th anniversary by director Robert Falls, returns with renewed vigor, addressing themes that resonate profoundly with modern audiences.

Christian Van Horn, the American bass-baritone renowned for his commanding presence, takes on the title role, marking his 150th performance with the Lyric Opera. His journey with the company began in 2004 as a young artist within the Ryan Opera Center, a testament to the Lyric’s commitment to nurturing talent. Van Horn’s portrayal of Don Giovanni is both imposing and nuanced, embodying the character’s seductive authority intertwined with darker, more violent tendencies, including depicted substance abuse and abusive sexual behaviors.

The production’s setting in pre-Civil War Spain adds a layer of historical tension, subtly paralleling current societal issues such as abuse of power and sexual misconduct. Falls employs a versatile set design by Walt Spangler that transitions seamlessly between scenes, aided by strategic lighting effects from veteran designer Duane Schuler, which evoke the murky, ominous atmosphere befitting the opera’s darker moments.

Supporting roles are performed with notable distinction. Tommaso Barea’s Leporello delivers the iconic catalogue aria with a blend of wit and weary loyalty, while Mané Galoyan’s Donna Anna brings both vocal strength and emotional depth to the role of a daughter seeking justice for her father’s murder. Lawrence Brownlee, as Don Ottavio, impresses with refined breath control and lyrical arias, adding a layer of stoic devotion. Nina Solodovnikova’s Donna Elvira offers a stylish, complex portrayal of a scorned woman torn between vengeance and lingering affection.

The youthful couple Zerlina and Masetto, portrayed by Anna El-Khashem and Christopher Humbert Jr., respectively, provide earthy counterpoints to the aristocratic figures, their costumes and interactions emphasizing class distinctions and the impact of Don Giovanni’s predations across social strata.

Costumer Ana Kuzmanić’s designs amplify the period authenticity and highlight societal contrasts, from glittering masquerade attendees to rustic wedding guests. The visual elements underscore the narrative’s exploration of power, decadence, and impending societal collapse.

Musical direction by Enrique Mazzola, celebrating a decade with the Lyric Opera, ensures a performance that honors Mozart’s intricate score while supporting the production’s thematic intentions. The orchestra’s opening rendition of the national anthem maintains company tradition, setting a solemn yet anticipatory tone for the opera.

The production culminates in a striking finale, where Don Giovanni’s dramatic descent is staged with technical ingenuity, symbolizing his downfall amid moral reckoning. The concluding ensemble breaks the fourth wall in a moment of reflective confrontation, inviting audiences to consider their own roles in societal complicity regarding abuses of power.

This revival of Don Giovanni at the Lyric Opera of Chicago succeeds in offering both a visually compelling and intellectually provocative experience. It challenges the audience to engage with the opera’s enduring questions about morality, justice, and the consequences of unchecked authority, making it a timely presentation amid ongoing cultural conversations.

Performances continue through early November at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago. The production stands as a significant artistic statement, blending historical context with contemporary relevance, underscoring the enduring power of Mozart’s masterpiece when interpreted through a modern perspective.