Description:

Ruggero Raimondi anchors this performance of Don Giovanni with a compelling blend of elegance and menace. In a role that demands both vocal finesse and dramatic complexity, Raimondi strikes an ideal balance: his dark bass tones hint at the character’s underlying cruelty, yet his suave delivery resists caricature. Whether or not one considers him among the definitive Dons, there's no denying his effectiveness here.

The cast assembled for this performance excels not only in the opera’s notoriously demanding arias but also in forging a cohesive ensemble sound—an essential quality for Don Giovanni. Margaret Price brings refined Mozartian style as Donna Anna, her tone pure and her phrasing charged with an understated emotional energy. Julia Varady, as Elvira, brings a fiery temperament that adds tension without veering into excess. Her portrayal avoids the comic exaggerations that can diminish the role’s dignity, offering instead a richly human interpretation.

Lucia Popp’s Zerlina is far from the usual soubrette. She brings vocal warmth and a subtle sensuality, particularly in a beguiling “Vedrai carino.” And though the Commendatore appears briefly, Kurt Moll leaves a lasting impression with his imposing, sonorous bass. His presence lends gravity to the final confrontation, as it so often does.

At the podium, Wolfgang Sawallisch leads a lively, spirited reading, keeping the drama taut even if he occasionally indulges in heavier pacing. The recorded sound is exceptional—clear, full-bodied, and remarkably vivid.

In Stereo

OD 10304-3