Lyric Opera’s ‘Don Giovanni’: A showcase of Robert Falls’ theatrical legacy

Director Robert Falls remains influential even after his departure from the Goodman Theatre in 2022. His mark is evident in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s revival of their 2014 production of Don Giovanni, an opera Falls previously staged during what many consider his peak era. This opera presented a rich visual spectacle once again as it opened the Lyric’s 2026-27 season.

Walt Spangler, a frequent collaborator with Falls, designed the massive sets which featured tables reminiscent of Dickensian feasts, lush hedgerows, striking Moorish light fixtures, and grand stone exteriors. These set pieces evoke Falls’ previous Eugene O’Neill stagings, providing a backdrop of classical tragedy where characters grapple with overwhelming circumstances.

Ana Kuzmanic’s costumes, influenced by Tennessee Williams, captured the nuanced dynamics of seduction and power. Duane Schuler’s lighting emphasized the moral dilemma facing the audience during Don Giovanni’s climactic exit, imagined here as a dramatic descent akin to Sweeney Todd, suggesting an eternal plunge into the brink.

Christian Van Horn reprised his role as Don Giovanni, embodying this notorious lothario with energetic vibrancy, while reflecting Falls’ penchant for extravagant productions. This revival embodied a retrospective of Falls’ evolving aesthetic, maintaining interest with various settings and character interactions narrated by the discontented Leporello, portrayed by Tommaso Barea.

Despite its lengthy performance stretching three-and-a-half hours, this robust production aligns perfectly with the opera’s narrative demands and character portrayals. Noteworthy was soprano Mané Galoyan’s compelling rendition of Donna Anna, driving the revenge plot with formidable presence.

The entire cast delivered their roles with dedicated focus, from Nina Solodovnikova’s sophisticated portrayal of Donna Elvira to tenor Lawrence Brownlee’s Don Ottavio. Anna El-Khashem portrayed Zerlina and navigated her challenging role with commendable ease, similar to Lady Anne in Shakespeare’s Richard III.

Mozart’s music, performed under Enrique Mazzola’s direction, amplified with spellbinding complexity, contributing to the opera’s timeless allure. The compositions presented hinted at Mozart’s innovative imagination, intertwining musical themes with dramatic content superbly.

At the heart, Don Giovanni follows a simple revenge plot established since its first appearance at Lyric back in 1954. Donna Anna’s recognition of Don Giovanni’s despicable action sets the tone for an exploration into consequence and resistance, challenging libertine narratives. Van Horn’s portrayal reflects the tragically successful yet diminishing path of Don Giovanni’s chosen lifestyle.

Review: “Don Giovanni” (3.5 stars)

When: Through Nov. 1

Where: Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive

Running time: 3 hours, 25 minutes

Tickets: $48-$402 at 312-827-5600 and lyricopera.org