Questions about Don Giovanni

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart complete the score for Don Giovanni?

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed the score for Don Giovanni on the 28th of October 1787. This completion occurred the very night before the opera's world premiere at the Estates Theatre in Prague.

How many women did Leporello list in the Catalogue Aria of Don Giovanni?

Leporello lists a total of 1,003 women in Spain, 640 in Italy, 231 in Germany, 100 in France, and 91 in Turkey within the Catalogue Aria. This enumeration transforms the character of Don Giovanni into a statistical monster whose identity is consumed by his pursuit of women.

What happened to the statue of the Commendatore in the climax of Don Giovanni?

The statue of the Commendatore accepts Don Giovanni's invitation to dinner and carries him down to Hell after the nobleman refuses to repent. This supernatural event signals the end of Giovanni's impunity and transforms the opera from comedy into tragedy.

Which new arias did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart compose for the Vienna premiere of Don Giovanni?

Mozart composed three new arias for the Vienna premiere on the 7th of May 1788, including Don Ottavio's Dalla sua pace and Donna Elvira's Mi tradì quell'alma ingrata. He also added a duet between Leporello and Zerlina to deepen the emotional complexity of the characters.

What instruments are featured in the ballroom scene of Don Giovanni?

The ballroom scene features two onstage ensembles playing separate dance music in synchronization with the pit orchestra. A mandolin played by Don Giovanni himself adds a layer of intimacy and sensuality to his seduction of Zerlina.

Who performed the title role of Don Giovanni in the original 1787 cast?

Luigi Bassi, a baritone, performed the title role of Don Giovanni in the original cast at the Estates Theatre on the 29th of October 1787. Other notable performers included Giuseppe Lolli as the Commendatore and Teresa Saporiti as Donna Anna.