don giovanni
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte
ACT I:
In the streets near Don Giovanni’s villa, his loyal servant Leporello keeps watch while his master pursues his usual pastime: seduction. Don Giovanni sets his sights on Donna Anna, the daughter of the noble Commendatore. Disguised, Giovanni approaches her, but their encounter quickly turns violent when Donna Anna demands to know his identity. The Commendatore arrives to defend his daughter, challenging Giovanni to a duel. In the ensuing fight, Giovanni fatally wounds the Commendatore and flees, leaving Anna and her fiancé, Don Ottavio, devastated and vengeful.
Meanwhile, Giovanni encounters Donna Elvira, a former lover embittered by his betrayals. Unaware of her true identity, Giovanni attempts to charm her once more, only to be met with scorn and reproach when she realizes his deceit. Leporello intervenes, revealing Giovanni’s extensive history of seduction and abandonment to Elvira.
Nearby, Masetto and Zerlina celebrate their impending marriage with joyous festivities. However, their happiness is short-lived as Giovanni and Leporello arrive, and Giovanni’s wandering eye fixates on Zerlina. Giovanni lures Zerlina away with promises of a grand wedding celebration, stoking Masetto’s jealousy and anger.
As tensions mount, Anna and Ottavio enter in mourning. Unaware of Giovanni’s true identity, they plead for his assistance. Elvira enters disparaging Giovanni, but he cunningly deflects suspicion back onto Elvira, branding her as deranged. Anna, however, begins to suspect Giovanni’s involvement in her father’s death. She reveals to Ottavio the full extent of Giovanni’s misdeeds from the previous night.
Amidst the chaos, Giovanni orders Leporello to organize a lavish party and invites every eligible woman in attendance, including Zerlina. At the revelry, Giovanni’s lecherous intentions are exposed as he attempts to seduce Zerlina once more. Elvira intervenes, followed by Anna and Ottavio. A confrontation ensues, but Giovanni narrowly escapes.
ACT II:
Outside Elvira’s residence, Giovanni’s reckless behavior drives Leporello to the brink of abandoning his service. Seeking to pursue Elvira’s maid incognito, Giovanni convinces Leporello to exchange clothing with him. Disguised as his own servant, Giovanni serenades Elvira from the shadows as a joke, promising repentance and change. Leporello, now dressed as his master, escorts Elvira away.
Masetto and his companions scour the streets in search of Giovanni. Still in disguise, Giovanni joins the skirmish, overpowering Masetto before making his escape.
Soon after, Leporello faces the wrath of Ottavio, Anna, Zerlina, and Masetto, who mistake him for his master. Their fury intensifies as they vow to exact retribution upon Giovanni for his crimes. Despite Elvira’s attempts to shield him, Leporello reveals his true identity and flees. The rest of the party agrees to regroup later.
In the cemetery, Giovanni’s hubris leads him to invite the statue of the Commendatore to dine with him, mocking the supernatural warnings of impending doom. When the statue materializes and offers Giovanni a chance for redemption, he defiantly refuses, sealing his fate. As demons drag Giovanni to his damnation, the remaining characters reflect on the consequences of sin and the inexorable justice that follows.
Too long, didn’t read?
Enjoy this synopsis of Don Giovanni in less than two minutes:
“Don Giovanni” Illustration: Aimee Sposito Martini