Convergence with a Masterpiece

My project here in Hungary this week is a lot of work on Mozart's "Don Giovanni." For me, the piece just gets better every time I play it - teach it - coach it. There is so much IN it, and one can make different choices every time one interprets it.

For this rotation, my goal is to use this project to front-load practicing for major job auditions coming up. I'm also going to delve even deeper into how Mozart has painted these characters through Lorenzo da Ponte's text. I was talking today with two of the cast members about harmonic motion in recitative, and how the harmonies tell us *exactly* what is going on, even if the text goes somewhere else.

Of special note throughout are the miraculous shifts between major and minor. This is true even in the overture, and shades of this continue in almost every recitative (dialogue) scene and most of the accompanied music. Mozart clearly loved the theater and he also loved the element of suspense, moments of supreme drama, and a hint of the romantic era to come.

It has also been a delight to reunite with cast members (some of which are from former projects or festivals in the US), colleagues, and dear friends. Hungary isn't home in terms of language, but in terms of pilgrimage, my time here has always offered something of a compass. I believe that this time around might be the best yet.

Photo: rooftop of Sárospatak at sunset.