Philadelphia Jewish Culture Examiner simply is not expert enough regarding opera to be able to discern the comparative nuances of top-level performances. Suffice it to say that the Academy of Vocal Arts' current production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Don Giovanni was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
As portrayed in the movie and play Amadeus, Don Giovanni contains particularly bawdy material, which this reviewer -- like a significant part of the (almost full) audience -- found quite humorous at numerous times. The opera's plot involves the beyond-scandalous behavior and eventual comeuppance of an Italian nobleman who seems to have emerged from the most hyperbole-laden examples of a college date-rape information session.
One is reminded at various times of the Frank Sinatra character from Pal Joey, of a more charismatic version of Tosca's Baron Scarpia, of Mozart himself, of fired Philadelphia Housing Authority director Carl Greene and of the late basketball great Wilt Chamberlain (some will know what is meant there ... and, yes, Philadelphia Jewish Culture Examiner couldn't help but wonder just how many oysters the Don Giovanni character consumed on a daily basis.)
For those unfamiliar with Center City's Academy of Vocal Arts, the purpose of the institution is to provide tuition-free vocal and opera training for "exceptionally talented and committed young singers who have the potential for international stature."
The final of the opera's seven performances (over four locations and with two different casts) takes place tomorrow night at Rutgers University/Camden's Walter K. Gordon Theater. Tickets ranging in in price from $28 to $85 remain available for purchase.
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