"It seems as though everyone involved in this production was put on earth to join in this special project. I suppose this Don Giovanni must reflect the air of the time in which it was written. There is a very authentic feel to it and just plain beautiful all around. Perhaps a touch delicate for our ears because we are accustomed to bitchy Elviras and Annas, and overtly sexual Giovannis....indelicate to be sure! Stabile is the superb Giovanni, H. Koneztni, who had a voice of pure silk, is Elvira and Frau Grob-Prandl is Anna who scaled down one of the largest voices in operatic history and gave a translucent and heady performance full of womanliness and a vulnerablity that other Wagnerians could only pray for. The conducting almost gets by you, for the singers are allowed to act and shine is their parts, yet the overture is grand!!
Preiser gives a beautifully forward and realistic remastering, though the masters must be excellent as well.