‘Don Giovanni’ by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Famous Opera Synopsys

Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is an opera in two acts. Don Giovanni is based on the legend of Don Juan, a fictional seducer. The opera consists of a mix of comic, serious action and supernatural elements. Don Giovanni is one of the most famous operas worldwide.

Main characters:

Don Giovanni
Donna Anna
Don Ottavio
Commendatore
Donna Elvira
Leporello
Masetto
Zerlina

Act 1

Don Giovanni's servant Leporello waits outside the house of Commendatore while his now masked master Don Giovanni is inside trying to seduce Commendatore's daughter Donna Anna who is engaged to Don Ottavio. Donna Anna manages to beat off the masked attacker trying to discover his identity. Commendatore who was alerted by his daughter's cry hurries to the scene where he gets mortally hurt.

Don Giovanni and his servant Leporello manage to escape. When Donna Anna along with her betrothed and servants come back to the scene they find the dead body of Donna Anna's father. Donna Anna makes her her fiancé Don Ottavio to swear the revenge on her father's murderer.

Don Giovanni and Leporello come across forsaken woman Donna Elvira. As Don Giovanni plans to seduce her he recognizes that the woman was previously seduced and abandoned by him. Giovanni tries to make a way for him to escape and orders Leporello to distract the woman. Leporello tells the woman that she's just one of many Giovanni's conquests.

Peasants are about to celebrate impending wedding of Zerlina and Masetto. Don Giovanni who is lusting after the bride Zerlina, orders Leporello to distract Masetto so he can be left alone with Zerlina. While Giovanni and Zerlina are alone Donna Elvira enters and interrupts Giovanni's intention. Donna Anna and her fiancé Don Ottavio arrive and ask help in finding the murderer of Donna Anna's father. When Donna Elvira suspects Don Giovanni, he assures them that Elvira is surely mad. Giovanni leaves and Donna Anna tells her fiancé Ottavio that she probably recognized Giovanni's voice as that of her aggressor and her father's murderer.

Masetto blames Zerlina for her interaction with Giovanni, however she convinces him to forgive her. Later on Don Giovanni invites the couple to his festivities, where also three masked people arrive. At the celebration Zerlina's cry interrupts the revelers. Giovanni falsely accuses Masetto from attacking Zerina. The masked trio-Donna Anna, Don Ottavio and Donna Elvira reveal themselves to confront Giovanni, however Giovanni manages to escape.

Act 2

Giovanni's servant Leporello wants to leave Giovanni's service, but master convinces him stay and help him seduce maid of Donna Elvira. When Giovanni and Leporello exchange clothes, Giovanni serenades to maid while Leporello who is dressed as his master tries to mislead Elvira. When Giovanni still dressed as Leporello finds out about Masetto's vengeful mob against himself he tricks Masetto and manages to escape.

Leporello who is still disguised as his master Don Giovanni, tries to flee Elvira however is trapped by Don Ottavio, Donna Anna, Zerlina and Masetto, who believe they finally caught Don Giovanni. Leporello reveals his identity and asks for mercy. Don Ottavio reassures his fiancé Donna Anna that he will revenge his father's murderer.

While Don Giovanni and Leporello meet in a cemetery, they encounter a statue of the dead Commendatore. After Giovanni orders Leporello to invite the statue to dinner, Leporello in horror receives a positive nod of acceptance from the statue.

While Don Giovanni feasts and is entertained by a band, Donna Elvira steps in and urges Don Giovanni to change his lifestyle and his ways. Giovanni scorns her. Statue of the Commendatore arrives for dinner. The statue urges Giovanni to repent for his sins, but he boldly refuses. Since Don Giovanni refuses to atone for his sins he meets his doom. When Donna Anna, her fiancé Ottavio, Donna Elvira along with Masetto and Zerlina arrive to search for Don Giovanni they are able to find only his servant Leporello who tells of his master's doom. All of them agree that all wrongdoers will fate such a horrible doom.