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Don Giovanni
Metropolitan Opera House, Wed, December 4, 1889
Debut : Emmy Sonntag-Uhl, Betty Frank
In German
Don Giovanni (16)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Lorenzo Da Ponte
- Don Giovanni
- Theodore Reichmann
- Donna Anna
- Lilli Lehmann
- Don Ottavio
- Paul Kalisch
- Donna Elvira
- Emmy Sonntag-Uhl [Debut]
- Leporello
- Emil Fischer
- Zerlina
- Betty Frank [Debut]
- Masetto
- Edward Schl?mann
- Commendatore
- Conrad Behrens
- Conductor
- Anton Seidl
- Director
- Theodore Habelmann
- Set Designer
- Charles Fox, Jr.
- Set Designer
- William Schaeffer
- Set Designer
- Gaspar Maeder
- Set Designer
- Mr. Thompson
- Costume Designer
- D. Ascoli
- Costume Designer
- Henry Dazian
Translation by unknown
Don Giovanni received four performances this season.
The program states that the opera was performed in a "Version with new Vienna Secco Recitative...[which] will be accompanied on the piano in the style of Mozart."
Review 1:
Review of W. J. Henderson in The New York Times
METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE.
Mozart's "Don Giovanni" had not been heard at the Metropolitan Opera House since the first season, when it was produced under the direction of Dr. Damrosch, until last night. A large audience was in the house last night when the curtain went up on the first scene. The noble specimen of the classical opera always draws a goodly number of lovers of good music. Last night's performance was not up to the standard, but this was doubtless due to the fact that two of the new members of the company were compelled to make their d?buts in trying r?les. These were Frau Sontag-Uhl, the new mezzo soprano, and Fr?ulein Betty Frank, the lyric soprano. It would probably be unjust to make an estimate of the value of these two ladies after last night's performance, It is beyond question, however, that neither of them was equal to the demands of her r?le. They are both to appear in "II Trovatore" tomorrow evening, when they may make a better impression.
The remainder of the cast was eminently satisfactory. Frau Lehmann's Donna Anna was admirable vocally and dramatically. Herr Reichmann was a good, though not a great, Don Giovanni. Herr Fischer's Leporello was delightful, Herr Kalisch sang Don Ottavio's music with excellent taste, and Herr Schl?mann was a capable Masetto. The opera was carefully put on the stage, and Herr Seidl deserves hearty praise for his faithfulness to Mozart's score. It may fairly be said that the composer's instrumental designs have never before been made known to this public. The opera will be given again on Saturday afternoon.
Photograph of Theodore Reichmann as Don Giovanni by Kryziwanek.
Search by season: 1889-90
Search by title: Don Giovanni,
Met careers
- Anton Seidl [Conductor]
- Theodore Reichmann [Don Giovanni]
- Lilli Lehmann [Donna Anna]
- Paul Kalisch [Don Ottavio]
- Emmy Sonntag-Uhl [Donna Elvira]
- Emil Fischer [Leporello]
- Betty Frank [Zerlina]
- Edward Schl?mann [Masetto]
- Conrad Behrens [Commendatore]
- Theodore Habelmann [Director]
- Charles Fox, Jr. [Set Designer]
- William Schaeffer [Set Designer]
- Gaspar Maeder [Set Designer]
- Mr. Thompson [Set Designer]
- D. Ascoli [Costume Designer]
- Henry Dazian [Costume Designer]