Mozart's Don Giovani - Research Paper Example

The form of opera established by Florentine Camerata was initially practiced in Italy in 1600. The opera was initially performed for the upper class individuals and the characters were also from the aristoto class. Opera was later exposed to the public with the city of Venice being the centre for opera performance which was enhanced by the construction of a public opera house in the city of Venice in 1637 (Snowman, 2010, 46). 1The story line of the opera commences by a strong relationship existing between Don Giovanni and Donna Anna.

Being the womanizer, which he is, during the Opera, Don Giovanni is anticipated by the audience to get up and leave Donna Anna—the anticipations are confirmed when he tries to abandon her (Mozart., 1985, p. 5).However, she rejects the idea of him leaving and insists that the only possible alternative would be that Don Giovanni takes her life before she will allow him to abandon her (Mozart., 1985, p. 6) Don Anna’s words stay engraved in Don Giovanni’s mind, which he recounts over and over, nevertheless, he continues to degrade Donna Anna with his insults.

In the midst of the chaos, Donna Anna’s father, who is the leader of the civil authority, is awoken by disturbance; He challenges Don Giovanni to a duel, which, he strongly refuses initially but accepts later after Anna’s father insists. The duel carries on and eventually Donna Anna’s father is killed (Mozart., 1985, p. 7) Regardless of the tragic beginning the opera takes a slow turn to light humor during the act—there is an inclusion of several practical jokes alongside pranks which enhances comedy in the opera, commonly involving Loporello, which is Don Giovanni’s servent.

The Jokes are also an aid for hiding the tension and frustrations within each character in the Opera – Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, Zerlina (Rushton, 1981, p. 4). For example, the case where Don Giovanni’s Ex-girlfriend, Elvira, who continues to pursue him, manages