Glyndebourne, Garsington, Grange Park, The Grange: the 4G country house opera network is once again making its summer offering and the longest-established of them all, Glyndebourne, kicked off this weekend with Don Giovanni (ââââ).
Mariame Clément’s thought-provoking production, with slick contemporary sets by Julia Hansel, lit by Bernd Purkrabek, asks at what point a sexually charismatic man becomes a predator. The first act takes place in a somewhat seedy hotel, presumably belonging to him; the marriage festivities anticipated by Masetto’s testosterone-fuelled stag party (chaps in lurid blue jackets). Meanwhile Zerlina’s friends at her hen party also mock the stereotype with pink tutus and fake breasts.
