One of the most memorable musical performances I have ever witnessed was the scenic recital of Don Giovanni, conducted by John Elliot Gardiner. This was in Amsterdam, in the Concertgebouw, which was wonderful, because the acoustics are excellent there. The entire thing was perfectly put together, with just enough staging to make it fully engaging and horrifying. An electrifying performance, in which the audience was literally a participant. This is the Commendatore scene, the horrific climax in the last act. Interesting that Gardiner has the trombones enter from amongst the audience. Mozart wrote that he considered the trombones to be the sound of judgment, of the final reckoning. All this was in 1994. I was there.
Originally posted 2008-07-01 19:25:04.