Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote some 20 operas. Like Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), Così fan tutte, and Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), Don Giovanni remains popular on stage and record.
- Composed by Mozart: 1787
- Don Giovanni is a two-act opera, a unique blend of buffa (comic) and seria (drama)
- Libretto: By Italian Lorenzo da Ponte after Giovanni Bertati's libretto for Giuseppe Gazzaniga's The Stone Guest, the contemporary version of the Don Juan legends.
- Language: Italian
- First performance: National Theatre, Prague, in October 29, 1787. Subtitled "drama giocoso," the opera blends comedy, melodrama, and supernatural elements.
- Setting: Seville, Spain and neighborhood in the early 17th century.
Although this opera is often classified as comic, in reality it's a blend of comic (buffa) and drama (seria). Perhaps its success is the unique blending of both, aside from the fascinating character of Don Juan himself, who, despite his scandalous ways still endeared him to women, became a challenge to the men in those days.
Don Giovanni was commissioned for this opera in Prague where Marriage of Figaro was an instant success. Prague dearly loved Mozart and his music. This version of the Don Juan legend had been so viewed and greatly considered by a number of known writers in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was one of Mozart's works to enjoy high prestige throughout the 19th century as it attracted much literary attention.
Doubtless, this was because it was seen as a romantic work. Among other reasons, with its many fine arias shared by major characters, it became a vehicle for the great stars, and continued to this day.
Main Characters
- The Commendatore (Bass)
- Donna Anna, The Commendatore's daughter (Soprano)
- Don Ottavio, Donna Anna's Betrothed (Tenor)
- Don Giovanni, A young nobleman (Baritone)
- Leporello, Giovanni's servant (Bass)
- Donna Elvira A lady (Soprano)
- Masetto, A peasant (Baritone)
- Zerlina, Massetto's fianceé (Soprano)
Plot Synopsis
Don Giovanni is a young nobleman. After a life of amorous conquests, he meets defeat in his three encounters: with Donna Elvira, whom he has deserted although she still follows him; with Donna Anna, whose father, the Commendatore, Giovanni has killed while escaping from an unsuccessful attempt at seduction and as a result postpones her marriage to Don Ottavio; and with Zerlina, whom he vainly tries to lure from her fiance, the peasant Masetto.
All three - Donna Elvira, Donna Anna, and Serlina - vow vengeance on the Don and his harassed servant, Leporello.
Donna Elvira eventually weakens in her resolution, and attempts reconciliation hoping that the Don reforms to her.
Don Giovanni's destruction and deliverance to hell are effected by the cemetery statue of the Commendatore, who had accepted the libertine's invitation to supper.
Operas Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Die Zauberflöte, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, Der Schauspieldirektor, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Idomeneo, Il rè pastore, Ascanio in Alba, La finta semplice, Lucio Silla, Il sogno di Scipione, La clemenza di Tito, Mitridate rè di Ponto, Bastien und Bastienne
Librettists of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sources:
Mozart and His Operas Edited by Stanley Sadie (2000)
Opera, Editor-in-Chief, András Batta (2000 English Edition)
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin (1997)
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