Fortunately it is, very well. Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? With James Morris, Joan Sutherland, John Brecknock, Julia Varady. Was this review helpful to you? One of the early performances included in the series was this 1978 performance of Mozart’s classic black comedy Don Giovanni, starring celebrated bass-baritone James Morris as the title seducer—a role that he would go on to sing 42 times with the company. Directed by Kirk Browning. Least effective would probably be John Brecknock as Ottavio. The Chorus are excellent.Same with the principal performances. James Morris was much better than expected in the title role. top, superb agility and technique and trumpet-like clarity in her sound. This Met production is still very good. Don Giovanni. I have very few complaints about it actually, though when I saw the entire production recently online I thought the picture quality could've been much clearer, it is often very grainy.Luckily though the sound is fine, perhaps occasionally with a little bit too much fuzz, but you can hear the orchestra and singing so that's the most important thing. Now that doesn't mean that Morris isn't a good singer, I just wasn't sure whether the role would suit him. Find The Metropolitan Opera on Facebook (opens new window), Find The Metropolitan Opera on Twitter (opens new window), Find The Metropolitan Opera on Instagram (opens new window). See the TV shows set to premiere in the rest of 2020, including "Utopia" and Season 2 of "The Mandalorian. I have seen several Don Giovannis, being a huge fan of Mozart's opera. Find The Metropolitan Opera on Facebook (opens new window), Find The Metropolitan Opera on Twitter (opens new window), Find The Metropolitan Opera on Instagram (opens new window). Last night the Metropolitan Opera invited us to stream its 1978 telecast of Don Giovanni featuring James Morris and Joan Sutherland, and today, heady from the gorgeous music, we're still unwilling to repent from our evil ways.Here are our ten essentials clips from Mozart's sublime dramma giocoso. Already a Met Opera on Demand subscriber? Already a Met Opera on Demand subscriber? Luisi; Gerzmava, Byström, Malfi, Appleby, Keenlyside, Plachetka, Luisi; Rebeka, Frittoli, Erdmann, Vargas, Kwiecien, Pisaroni, Levine; Fleming, Kringelborn, Hong, Groves, Terfel, Furlanetto, Relyea. Check out some of the IMDb editors' favorites movies and shows to round out your Watchlist. Share on Facebook; Share on Twitter ; Share The legendary Joan Sutherland takes on the role of Donna Anna in this star-studded broadcast, displaying the full range of the character’s feelings, from fury to mourning to revenge. On March 15, 1977, the Met presented the inaugural performance of its Live from the Met series of opera telecasts—a Peabody Award–winning program that would run on public television for more than 25 years. Then I thought if Raimondi, Pinza, Ghiaurov and Ramey could excel at the role(they are bass-baritones/basses, Giovanni is a baritone role) so could Morris. The orchestra are stylish and passionate and Richard Bonynge's conducting makes for a solid and not too stodgy reading. It has a compelling story, a very vivid and memorable titular character and some of Mozart's best music particularly the Commendatore scene.Of the Don Giovannis I've seen, my favourites are the Joseph Losey film and the 1987 production with Samuel Ramey in the title role. 8/10 Bethany Cox. If there are any things I wasn't crazy about, I did feel as though her diction was not always easy to decipher, and while she is gracious in her mannerisms I didn't feel the fire I get when hearing or seeing Donna Anna.Allan Monk is a solid Massetto, Huguette Tourangeau is an adorable Zerlina blending beautifully with Morris in La Ci Darem La Manno and John Macurdy is a suitably imposing Commendatore. Don Giovanni - 1978 - Richard Bonynge - James Morris; Joan Sutherland; Julia Varady; Gabriel Bacquier - New York http://music.marlowe.at/don-giovanni-1978/ Morris copes very well with the range, with Champagne Aria not too forced in the tone, and performs the role with swagger, arrogance and charisma.The two best performers were Julia Varady who brings some welcome spite to Donna Elvira and Gabriel Bacquirer who manages to make Leporello bumbling, loyal, somewhat adorable and often very funny. That is not to say he is bad, his voice is well-controlled, pitched and not too strained, apart from some nice touches such as in the recitative to Donna Anna's Non Mi Dir he comes across as rather stand-there-and-sing quality in his acting.Joan Sutherland was a wonderful soprano and one of my favourites for her bell-like ringing(not to mention huge!) If you are using Internet Explorer or other browsers you may encounter problems with certain sections of our website. This FAQ is empty. Add the first question. View production, box office, & company info, The Metropolitan Opera Presents: Simon Boccanegra. Looking for some great streaming picks? Gabriel Bacquier sings his servant, Leporello, and Julia Varady is the besotted Donna Elvira. Alongside Morris, the exceptional cast features soprano Joan Sutherland as Donna Anna, baritone Gabriel Bacquier as Leporello, and bass John Macurdy as the Commendatore.