After watching Don Giovanni, answer the following questions about what you way. A few important things to keep in mind:
What is the tone or feeling that Mozart is trying to establish in the Overture to Don Giovanni? Is it exactly the same all the way through, or does it change?
Give a brief descriiption of all the events that take place in the opening number (No. 1 – Introduction) of the opera.
How would you describe the tone of the conversation between Leporello and Don Giovanni that takes place immediately after the Commendatore has been killed? How does the audience react to that short conversation and what does that tell us about the tone of the scene?
In his aria “Madamina, it catalogo è questo” (No. 4), how does Leporello “comfort” Donna Elvira? Are his words actually comforting her? Or is something else going on here?
What is Don Giovanni trying to do in the duet “Là ci darem la mano” (No. 7)? How is he using the words and music of the duet to help him in his task?
How and when does Donna Anna realize the truth about who Don Giovanni is? How does the music help tell us understand this?
In her aria “Batti, batti, o bel Masetto” (No. 12), what is Zerlina trying to do? How does her music support (or contrast with) the actual words she is using?
How would you characterize the relationship between Zerlina and Massetto?
Why is everyone so angry at Don Giovanni?
Imagine you’re Donna Elvira’s best friend. How would you describe her relationship with Don Giovanni? What advice would you give her?
Imagine you’re Donna Anna’s best friend. How would you describe her relationship with Don Ottavio?
Don Giovanni is filled with characters who are pretending to be something that they are not in order to get what they want. Describe some examples of this.
Who is the “hero” of Don Giovanni and why?
Describe the music of the Act II finale (No. 24) –especially when the unexpected guest arrives. How is that music different from the rest of the music we’ve heard in the opera, and how does it help to tell the story?
At the end of the opera, does Don Giovanni get what he deserves? Make your case for why or why not.
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