John Gavanti
John Gavanti is a 1980 No Wave opera album by members of the bands Mars and DNA. It was written and played by Mark Cunningham (of Mars), Sumner Crane (of Mars), China Burg (of Mars), Ikue Mori (of DNA) and Arto Lindsay (of DNA). All were big-time members of New York City's short-lived but influential No Wave music scene.
The opera is a loose retelling of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, which in turn is based on the legend of Don Juan. The title character is a horny figure endowed with magical powers, and the songs of the opera follow him on a series of sex adventures, many of them involving the pursuit of various females, including a female lion, a young girl, and a grandmother "in the beautiful autumn of life."
Description
Cunningham wrote about the project on his personal website:
Reviews
Glenn Kenny of Trouser Press wrote of John Gavanti: "Some have called this the most unlistenable record ever made, and that's a fine invitation indeed."
Track listing
All tracks composed by Sumner Crane.
Podcasts:
