Melbourne Opera: Don Giovanni review [2026]

Splendid singing is the key attraction of this relatively understated staging of Mozart classic Don Giovanni, performed with a specific focus on the alternate title The Rake Punished. From the dramatic opening minor chords of the overture, the exacting work of maestro Raymond Lawrence is clearly evident, as is the warm acoustic tone of live classical music at the Athenaeum. More than 40 musicians strong, the Melbourne Opera Orchestra is heard at their best, bringing expressive life to Mozart’s venerated score. Each of the eight perfectly cast principal singers is strong in solo work, with combinations of trios, quartets, and full ensembles being nothing short of glorious. Complementing the drama of the music, director Suzanne Chaundy takes a “deep reading of the female perspective,” successfully highlighting the humanity and individuality of the three main female characters. As Leporello sings the infamous “Catalogue Aria” (“Madamina, il catalogo è questo”), members of the female…