Don Giovanni, Quarantined
Need to Know
Mozart’s Don Giovanni premiered in Prague in 1787 and was the second of three collaborations with the librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, the other two operas being Le nozze di Figaro and Così fan tutte. The title character was well known in Western literature by this time and had evolved into a more dimensional persona than simply the womanizing caricature.
Mozart’s Don Giovanni is commonly classified as a “dramma giocoso” which roughly translates to “playful drama". This genre was very popular in the second half of the 18th century and allowed characters normally found in either opera seria or opera buffa to coexist in the same piece. De Ponte directly labelled his libretto with this term, saying it was a dramatic work with jokes. Read more about this hybrid genre from Utah Opera.
Don Giovanni is one of the most performed operas in the world coming in as the eighth most produced since 2004. Coincidentally, two other Mozart operas rank higher, The Magic Flute (2nd) and The Marriage of Figaro (6th)
W.A. Mozart was a child prodigy and a musical genius, writing his first opera Apollo et Hyacinthus at the age of 11. Here are more fun facts both musical and trivial from Mental Floss.com. Still want to learn more about this genius? Here’s another link from Connolly music.com.
Here are some more fun sites to break down Don Giovanni: Opera-Inside.com and the Met.
Guess who’s coming to dinner?
As the mortals continue to struggle with how to deal with Don Giovanni and make him repent for his evil ways, Mozart brings to life the statue of the slain Il Commendatore. Giovanni mockingly invites the statue to dinner and when it arrives, asks Giovanni to repent. Giovanni still refuses to repent and the flames of hell rise up and he is dragged off into the underworld. Watch this dramatic scene here.
He’s so Charismatic… or is it the cocktail talking?
In honor of Mozart's Don Giovanni and the smooth talking lady’s man, your pre-opera cocktail is a "Flor de Don Juan". If you like a margarita, you'll love this elevated cocktail. Watch John create the cocktail here.
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz Reposado Tequila, 1/2 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, 3/4 oz Lime Juice, 1/4 oz Simple Syrup, Basil Leaves (for garnish and muddling) and a Lime wedge for garnish. Directions: Add tequila, St. Germain, Lime juice, simple syrup and some of your basil leaves to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds and strain into a rocks glass with ice, garnish with remaining Basil leaves and squeeze of lime. Enjoy!
Synopsis
Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni is based on the story of Don Juan. In the many variations, Don Juan is wealthy man who devotes his life to seducing women, taking great pride in his ability to woo women of any station,
Read the full synopsis from the Met.
Stream the Opera
There are many productions of Don Giovanni available online. These productions range from a traditional to modern avant garde settings, either way, you’ll find Mozart’s opera is certainly timeless and always relevant to audiences. Rated PG-13, some content and themes may not be suitable for children.*
Here is a 2001 production from Zurich.
Here is a production from the Finnish National Opera and Ballet.