This recording of the production of Don Giovanni at the 2011 Baden-Baden Festival will be a landmark in more ways than one. First, because it is the young Quebecois conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s first disc on Deutsche Grammophon since signing his exclusive contract with the yellow label. At 37, Yannick Nézet-Séguin is regarded by The Independent as “without doubt the most formidable talent of his generation.” He will take the helm of the prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra in September. Then, because it marks the first stage of the new collaboration between Deutsche Grammophon and the Baden-Baden Festspielhaus, sponsored by Rolando Villazón, around Mozart’s 7 major operas. To come: Die Entführung aus dem Serail in 2014 and Le Nozze di Figaro in 2016. And finally because this production benefits from a dream cast! If Ildebrando D'Arcangelo is “a velvet vocal and physical sex appeal obviousness” (ResMusica) in the title role, Luca Pisaroni is dazzling as Leporello and Rolando Villazón portrays a vocally superb Don Ottavio. The women are no less impressive: Diana Damrau is more intense than ever as Donna Anna, Joyce DiDonato is a fantastic Donna Elvira and the young Mojca Erdmann lends her crystal-clear timbre to a charming Zerlina. As for the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, it is magnificent in fullness under the dynamic direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin. A DAZZLING AND THEATRICAL DON GIOVANNI THANKS TO THE DRAMATIC COMMITMENT OF ALL ITS PERFORMERS!