DESCRIPTION:
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 II

Scene one
A street.

Leporello has made up his mind to leave his master's service, but the Don convinces him to stay on, and even to exchange costumes so that the cavalier can seduce Donna Elvira's maid (Duet: Eh via, buffone). When Elvira appears at the window, Don Giovanni, concealed behind Leporello, declares his repentance to her. Trusting his words, Elvira goes off with the servant whom she has mistaken for her former admirer (Trio: Ah taci, ingiusto core). Don Giovanni is now left free to serenade Donna Elvira's maid (Canzonetta: Deh vieni alla finestra), but the sudden entry of Masetto, accompanied by armed peasants who are determined to kill the seducer, obliges him to give up this conquest too.

Having recognized the servant Leporello in Don Giovanni's clothes, Masetto asks him for news of his master. But the Don, taking advantage of his disguise, manages to get rid of the peasants and is left alone with Masetto, to whom he delivers a thrashing (Aria: Metà di voi qua vadano). Zerlina comes to the aid of her betrothed and reproaches him for his jealousy but lovingly tends his bruises (Aria: Vedrai, carino).

Scene two
A darkened room in Donna Anna's house.

Donna Anna and Don Ottavio, Zerlina and Masetto have discovered Leporello's disguise and the trick played on Donna Elvira (Sextet: Sola, sola in buio loco). The servant barely escapes just punishment (Aria: Ah pietà, signori miei). Don Ottavio, sure by now of Don Giovanni's guilt, decides to enlist the authorities to avenge the crimes committed by this villain (Aria: Il mio tesoro intanto), while Donna Elvira cannot conceal her pity for the miscreant (Aria: Mi tradì quell'alma ingrata).

Scene three
A graveyard with several equestrian statues and one of the Commendatore.

Don Giovanni meets Leporello and tells him of yet another disreputable thing he has done. In reply to obscure threats uttered by the statue of the Commendatore, who is buried there, the rake has invited him to supper at his palace (Duet: O statua gentilissima).

Scene four
A gloomy room.

Don Ottavio, confirming to Donna Anna that Don Giovanni is soon to be punished by law, asks her if she feels she can now accept his proposal of marriage. But she is weary after recent events and begs him to be patient a little longer, though she again reassures him of her love (Aria: Non mi dir, bell'idol mio).

Scene five
A dining room and table laid for a feast.

While Don Giovanni cheerfully dines, despite the appearance of Donna Elvira, who has come to get him to repent his sins, the statue of the Commendatore appears at the door (Finale: Già la mensa è preparata). Leporello takes shelter under the table, while Don Giovanni confronts the grim apparition. After refusing the statue's recommendations to repent, he is dragged down to Hell. To the assembled company, who have come to arrest the Don, Leporello recounts his master's death. A final ensemble rejoices in serenity regained.

Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
Staging: Robert Carsen
Sets: Michael Levine
Costumes: Brigitte Reiffenstuel
Lights: Robert Carsen and Peter Van Praet
Choreography: Philippe Giraudeau

Don Giovanni: Peter Mattei
Il Commendatore: Kwangchul Youn
Donna Anna: Anna Netrebko
Don Ottavio: Giuseppe Filianoti
Donna Elvira: Barbara Frittoli
Leporello: Bryn Terfel
Zerlina: Anna Prohaska
Masetto: Štefan Kocán