W.A. Mozart: Don Giovanni (1966) | Opera Movie from Walter Felsenstein

"Walter Felsenstein (1901-1975), founder and general director of the Komische Oper in Berlin, was one of the twentieth century’s greatest creative theatre directors, who played a hugely important role in the revival of opera as a theatrical art form. A brilliant artist who directed over 190 productions during the course of his career, he was equally committed to the works, their creators, the ensemble and the audience.
With his adaption of “Don Giovanni” (1966) Felsenstein paid homage to Mozart and his ingenious work which he always admired. He decided to celebrate the reopening of the Komische Oper (1966) with the premiere of this “opera of all operas”, which blends comedy, melodrama and supernatural elements. As Don Giovanni, Felsenstein assigned the Hungarian baritone György Melis. This outstanding singer, who had already interpreted the role of the amorous conquerer at the Festivals of Glyndebourne in 1961, appeared in Felsenstein’s adaption also as an outstanding actor. With impressive Klara Barlow as Donna Anna and a distinguished cast at his side this production is an extraordinary listening pleasure. Besides that it sets benchmarks in filming operas.
“Don Giovanni” by Felsenstein is a filmed opera, rather than a feature film based on the opera, and reflects a particular staging of this masterpiece in opera history. Through the lens, Felsenstein made this work come alive to reveal the various personal relationships at the core of the quintessential tragicomedy by Mozart. The founder of the Komische Oper Berlin brought his own genius to the result in a film that is as strong dramatically as it is musically. Through his efforts in filming this opera, Felsenstein does not minimize music in this film but rather intensifies it."
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Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Directed by: Walter Felsenstein
Conductor: Zdeněk Košler
Soloists: György Melis, Klara Barlow, John Moulson
Participants: Rudolf Asmus, Anny Schlemm, Herbert Rössler, Eva-Maria Baum, Fritz Hübner
Orchestra/Chorus/Bellet: Chor und Orchester der Komischen Oper Berlin"
© 1956, Walter Felsenstein

[@ΓεωργίαΧαϊδούλη]

Καθαρή, υπέροχη μουσική!

[@ΓεωργίαΧαϊδούλη]

Ευχαριστώ!

[@walterbenjamin1386]

Thank you for this legendary performance! A real gem.

[@brutusalwaysminded]

Fun! Thank You. ❤

[@ΓεωργίαΧαϊδούλη]

Μυσταγωγία!!!

[@archiereece8321]

1:48:41

[@sheldonstone9558]

When I attend a theatrical production, I prefer to be able to see, as well as hear, what is happening. This production fails to produce enough light or clarity to promote enjoyment. Mozart and da Ponte deserve better. Shame!
The music and singing WERE beautiful!

[@OliverChwat]

..not the production; these are cameras from the 1960s, their technical prowess is limited to its time and place, mid-60s East-Berlin. Stage lighting technicians have already done their utmost to maximise their limelights' and spots' brightness; I know this because I've worked on the stage of the Komische Oper Berlin for 5 years now. So if you wanted to make a case out of the technical limitations of 1960s 16mm film stocks and cameras, Arri stage lighting and camera workmanship you better get technical terms in check, but don't sully the entire production just because your tired eyes couldn't find the brightness option on your viewing apparatus. This production shows the best stage personnel and their creative hands had to offer in 1966, they had passion and dedication spelled in their DNA, so show some respect to their memory!

[@Anthony-n7x5m]

How old was this production? The audio sounds too tinny

[@OliverChwat]

@@Anthony-n7x5m is this question AI generated? You can’t be for real. The production year is in the upload’s title, 1966! The sound is pretty good for its time, even modern microphones don’t reach too high a level in quality nowadays; because you have to remember, those usually hang from the ceiling somewhere up in the air between stage and audience, they’re not close enough to get prime studio quality, this is a somewhat sizeable stage with sound echoing all around over thousand audience members and a very high ceiling on top!