startsection section10mm-.5 Discussion 1 Don Giovanni: Living for the here and now.

 

The assignment this week is to prepare for the performance of Don Giovanni. This will include reading parts of the libretto (the lyrics of the opera), reading three short articles about the opera, and listening to selections from the opera. In addition to our discussion in class, Prof. Waldoff, a Mozart specialist, will give a presentation on Don Giovanni on Tuesday evening from 7-8 PM in Brooks Concert Hall.

Here are the readings for Monday, all are from the handouts:

• The synopsis of the opera.
• Jonathan Miller's introduction to Don Giovanni: Myths of Seduction and Betrayal.
• Bernard Williams' essay ``Don Giovanni as an idea'' from W.A. Mozart: Don Giovanni by Julian Rushton in the Cambridge Opera Handbooks series.
• Joseph Kerman's essay ``Reading Don Giovanni'' from Don Giovanni: Myths of Seduction and Betrayal.

Here's your listening assignment for Monday. From the John Eliot Gardiner led performance of Don Giovanni available on reserve in the Music Library in Brooks Hall, listen to the following from Act I, on the first CD of the set:

• Scenes I, II, and III, corresponding to tracks 1-5 of the first CD. This contains Leporello's (Don Giovanni's servant) introduction to Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni's attempted rape of Donna Anna, her escape, Don Giovanni's murder of her father, the Commendatore, and the responses of Leporello, Don Giovanni, Donna Anna and her betrothed Don Ottavio.
• Scene V, corresponding to tracks 7-9 of the first CD. This contains Donna Elvira's confrontation of Don Giovanni and the ``catalogue'' aria, sung by Leporello to Donna Elvira, which lists Don Giovanni's conquests by country.
• Scenes IX and X corresponding to tracks 14-17 of the first CD. This contains Don Giovanni's wooing of Zerlina, the duet ``Là ci darem la mano,'' and Donna Elvira's attempt to separate Don Giovanni and Zerlina.

And the following from Act II on the 3rd CD of the set

• Scene XV corresponding to tracks 15 and 16 of the 3rd CD. This contains the return of the statue of the Commendatore, Don Giovanni's descent into hell and the finale.

As you listen, read along with the libretto looking at both the English and the Italian. You should listen to each selection at least twice.