Opera Synopsis—

Don Giovanni
Spain, 17th Century

Act I

Scene 1: Leporello, Don Giovanni’s servant, waits outside for his master, who is attempting to seduce the Commendatore’s daughter, Donna Anna. Suddenly Giovanni rushes out concealing his face from Donna Anna, who returns to the palace when her father appears in response to her cries for help. In a duel, the Commendatore is killed by Don Giovanni, who then flees with Leporello. Anna returns with her fiancé, Don Ottavio, finds the body of her father and, together with Ottavio, swears vengeance on the unknown murderer.

Scene 2: Giovanni and Leporello observe a beautiful, distraught noblewoman, who turns out to be Donna Elvira, one of Don Giovanni’s most recent conquests, whom he abandoned. She berates him, but he slips off, leaving Leporello to explain that Giovanni is a compulsive philanderer.

Scene 3: Zerlina and Masetto, a young peasant couple, happily celebrate their wedding. Giovanni and Leporello enter and the Don is immediately attracted to Zerlina. Giovanni first has Leporello take Masetto and the other peasants away, and then attempts to seduce the girl, but is thwarted by Donna Elvira, who leads Zerlina away. Donna Anna and Don Ottavio arrive as a furious Elvira reenters only to be hurried off by Giovanni. It is too late, however; Anna has recognized him as her seducer and she and Ottavio once again vow to avenge her father’s murder.

Scene 4: Giovanni and Leporello prepare for a gala evening – a grand party and ball. As the guests enter, Zerlina tries to persuade Masetto that she cares nothing for Giovanni. Anna, Elvira and Ottavio enter, masked, and are also invited by Leporello, who is unaware for their identities. They ask for the blessing and the protection of Heaven.

Scene 5: As his guests congregate, Giovanni lures Zerlina into a corridor and tries to once again seduce her. She cries out for help and Giovanni tries to blame Leporello. The three maskers reveal their identities, but Giovanni disarms Ottavio and escapes amid the resulting confusion.

Act II

Scene 1: Elvira pines over her betrayal by Don Giovanni before returning home. Leporello enters vowing to leave Giovanni, but the Don laughs off his objects and successfully bribes him with money. As Elvira appears on her balcony, Giovanni, whose latest would-be conquest is Elvira’s maid, forces Leporello to impersonate him, exchanging cloaks and hats. Leporello (disguised as Giovanni) then charms a once again infatuated Elvira and they go off together as Giovanni serenades the maid. Masetto and a group of peasants enter, searching for Giovanni, but the Don (still disguised as Leporello) sends the peasants’ off in various directions, beats Masetto, and runs away. Zerlina comes in and comforts her bruised lover.

Scene 2: Elvira enters with Leporello, who tries to sneak ways in the darkness. He is stopped by Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina and Masetto who, mistaking him for Giovanni, threaten him with death. Leporello unmasks and slips away amid the confusion. Anna rushes off and Ottavio once again sings of his love for her.

Scene 3: Leporello and Giovanni, having escaped their pursuers, meet close to the memorial of the slain Commendatore. Suddenly the statue speaks. Leporello gibbers with terror, but Giovanni merely laughs and invites the statue to dine with him that evening. The statue agrees.

Scene 4: Donna Anna refutes Ottavio’s contention that she keeps cruelly putting off their wedding and reassures him of her love, vowing that they will be married once the murderer of her father is brought to justice.

Scene 5: Giovanni dines in splendor. Suddenly Elvira enters, begging Giovanni once again to reform and marry her. He laughs at her and she rushes off. A scream is heard and when Leporello investigates, he too shouts – the statue of the Commendatore has indeed arrived for dinner. The statue also bids Giovanni to repent, but he steadfastly refuses. The statue takes his hand and drags him to Hell. Elvira, Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina, and Masetto enter in search of Giovanni and are informed by Leporello of what has happened. The all proclaim the moral: “As one has lived, so shall he die.”