| Don Giovanni (K. 527; complete title: Il dissoluto punito, ossia il Don Giovanni, literally The Rake Punished, or Don Giovanni) is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and with an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It was premiered by the Prague Italian opera at the Teatro di Praga (now called the Estates Theatre) on October 29, 1787. Act I Scene one A garden by night. Leporello, Don Giovanni's servant, is waiting for his master, who has entered the house of the Commendatore with intent to seduce that gentleman's daughter, Donna Anna.The Don emerges, pursued by the young lad (Introduction: Notte e giorno faticar). Donna Anna, who is betrothed to Don Ottavio, has managed to beat off her assailant and now attempts to discover his identity. Alerted by his daughter's cries, the Commendatore hurries to the scene, but is mortally wounded by Don Giovanni. Leporello and his master escape. When Donna Anna, who has gone to seek help, returns accompanied by her betrothed and several servants, she finds only the dead body of her father. Donna Anna enjoins Don Ottavio to swear vengeance on her father's murderer (Duet: Fuggi, crudele, fuggi). Scene two A street by night. Don Giovanni and Leporello, in search of fresh adventures, come across Donna Elvira, who was seduced and abandoned by Don Giovanni and has been looking for him to get her revenge (Aria: Ah chi mi dice mai). As soon as the rake recognizes Elvira as one of his previous amours, he goes off ... |
