Last weekend, as part of it’s 25th anniversary, the Moores Opera Center at the University of Houston performed it’s version of Mozart’s classic opera, Don Giovanni. The experience as one of mixed feelings for me, but the overall feeling that I had upon leaving the theater was one of great happiness, despite the opera’s tragic ending.
Moores Opera Center founder and director, Buck Ross, is known for his unique approach to the stage, and this production was no different.
Although I am a classical musician, I play an instrument for a reason. Even with years of training, I would never become a fantastic singer such as those who were on stage Saturday night. The immense talent combined with the direction and creativity of Buck Ross make every opera performance not only enjoyable but also approachable.
Don Giovanni was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with Italian libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte and was first premiered in Prague in 1787. Although over 200 years old, this work is still performed regularly. The reputation of both the work and the opera ensemble contributed to a rather large audience for this particular performance.
As the lights dimmed on the audience and lit up the stage, Don Giovanni appeared. He was dressed in black slacks, a white button-front shirt and a black cowboy hat. I was confused at first until the next scene, where with the use of multimedia effects, I realized that this particular version of the opera was set in Washington, D.C. It was immediately obvious that this opera was going to take place in today’s day and time and this point was emphasized by the costumes, multimedia effects and props, including an iTouch. From the very beginning, an opera written before the Constitution of the United States was even signed, became relateable to the audience. The story line isn’t far off from any of today’s realities; a man who goes around town sleeping with every woman he can get his hands on regardless of whether they are single, engaged or married and in the end is murdered and dragged to hell. Yet something as simple as costumes or set could have easily hindered the story rather than accented and supported it.
In addition to the modern-day libretto, the opera was outright humorous. The audience frequently broke out in bursts of laughter, a common characteristic of the work of Ross and his performers.
As a former member of the Moores School Opera Orchestra, I was sad to witness one of the worst performances ever given by the ensemble. I was fearful on more than one occasion that they would have to stop playing and begin again due to everyone being in different places in the music. The opera orchestra has struggled in the last few years with conductors, but it is still no reason to nearly fall apart in the middle of a performance and do a serious disservice to the wonderful people on stage.
Overall, Don Giovanni was a very enjoyable performance and a great addition to the multitude of operas that the Moores Opera Center has brought to life over the last 25 years. I know Buck Ross and his performers will keep me coming back and exploring the world of opera even after my time as a student at Uh is over.
