The anti-romantic “Don Juan”. The last new production of the season was premiered at the Latvian National Opera / Article

In the last hundred years, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s one of the most famous operas “Don Juan” has been staged in our White House five times. In the version of the Argentine director Marselo Lomardero and his creative team, Don Juan is a modern man who has chosen his own rules instead of the usual public order. His leitmotif in life: lust, wine and women. Don Juan does not seduce the intended victim, but takes them by force.

The production is designed as a black and ironic comedy. The stage costume created by Diego Siliano is urban and modern. Don Juan’s deceived women are played by Julia Vasilyev and Inga Slubovska-Kancevich. Katrīna Pauls Felsbergs made her debut on the stage of the Latvian National Opera in the role of the flirtatious Cerlīna. Working on a technically and actorically complex role, the young singer had an unusual collaboration with the director. “Cerlin has to be an energetic, explosive girl. And he let me have fun the way I want to. He allowed me to build that image the way I see her. She’s young, taking full advantage of life, and yes, I think that our cooperation was very great, “emphasizes Felsberg.

Mozart’s virtuoso and melodic arias, complemented by the expressive recitation of the soloists, in contrast to the modern environment and seemingly mundane costumes of the characters, provoked an ambiguous reaction in the audience.

Inguna Cepīte, who attended the premiere, admitted: “I had to see such a production, such a scenography for the first time. A very released version. But, in my opinion, the production was very successful.”

Indra Sāmīte, on the other hand, was harsh: “I can’t understand how Don Juan can be made so boring and bland. That’s all I have to say. I wouldn’t come to him a second time!”

Eric Nalivaiko, a visitor to the opera, is convinced: “Many will claim that the director is not the same, costumes, era. What to knead on old rags? “

The Latvian National Opera recommends the audience to visit the production of the opera “Don Juan” from the age of 16.

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