Don Giovanni: Schrott shines as Monte Carlo is seduced by Mozart's complex hero

"He's basically a man who's looking for the impossible, which is what we all are after: reason, awareness, security; although none of us… I think that 'doubt' is the essence of our life," said Schrott of his character.

Those seduced by the Don also have their complexities, as soprano Sonya Yoncheva, (Donna Elvira) explained: "I think that Elvira is attracted to Don Giovanni because he's a 'bad boy'. I imagine my character as a woman in love, passionate, but also endearing, a little childish but also feminine, a woman who discovers the world of love and sensuality, and sexuality. Unfortunately with a monster! What I really like is the idea that maybe her naiveté, her purity, can inspire human feelings in Don Giovanni, 'the monster'."

Playing Donna Anna was almost a liberating experience for soprano Patrizia Ciofi: "What does Donna Anna enable me to do that I wouldn't do in real life? I know that through her I learnt to face my real feelings, to look inside myself, to recognise a real loving relationship from one which wasn't… as with all my characters… I learnt to live a bit more fully."

Schrott has won many plaudits for his portrayal of Don Giovanni and he admits it is a role he relishes: "It's an imaginary character, a fiction, but as soon as I'm asked 'How come you're so good at Don Juan?' and I reply it's my passion, my respect [for the character], people go: It's a lost battle from the start because you have a stereotype in mind: the Latin man, from Uruguay, a seductive voice, bla bla bla… I've lost already! No point in saying 'no', your stereotype wins: eight-nil!"