Mozart’s Don Giovanni has it all—comedy, drama, romance, a bit of action and, in the final scenes, a dash of the supernatural. The opera takes you through a range of emotions, the laughter and tragedy of the story accentuated beautifully with the lush, nuanced sound of Mozart.
   If you’re not familiar with this famous opera, the story follows the arrogant Don Giovanni’s conquests and deceits. His servant Leporello (played brilliantly by Eduardo Chama) humorously laments what he must endure as his master frolics through life carefree, though he remains faithful in assisting the playboy with treachery. At times Don Giovanni’s attempts to woo women are light-hearted and funny—he can be quite charming—but there are also darker elements to the tale.
   Before long, several of his victims band together to seek vengeance. Among this group is Donna Anna (played by Pamela Armstrong), daughter of the Commendatore, whom Don Giovanni murdered. Armstrong’s exquisite soprano voice captures the sorrow and pain of Donna Anna beautifully as it permeates the theatre. She has the kind of voice that makes you want to close your eyes and feel it. The endearing scenes between Anna and her fiancée Ottavio (Nicholas Phan), are especially poetic, most notably Ottavio’s aria:
On her, my treasure, all joy dependeth,
Life hath no pleasure, but that she sendeth,
Sorrows that grieve her, torture my heart,
E'en when she sigheth, my sighs awaken,
And joy it dieth, by her forsaken;
Oh, worst of torments, from her to part!
(In my opinion, Don Giovanni could learn a thing or two from Ottavio. And don’t worry, the supertitles are a modern English translation, so they are easier to read and follow).
  Don Giovanni closes the season for The Atlanta Opera, so don’t miss out. The   show runs April 28, May 1, 4 and 6 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. More information can be found at atlantaopera.org.