Don Giovanni (Essay Sample)

Don Giovanni Name Course Institution affiliation Introduction Background An opera is generally the name given to a stage performance or presentation of the work of art that comprises of music, costumes and a specific scene which aims at relaying a given story to the audience. Majority of the operas are generally sung and comprise of no spoken words. Opera is the result of the efforts by a group of intellectuals and musicians to revive the traditional Greek drama. This group of the individuals is referred to as Florentine Camerata (Donald, 2013, 203). The group main aim was to sing the lines in the Greek drama whose end result was the modern opera. 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). Don Giovanni In 1787, a renowned opera, Don Giovanni, was originally produced by Mozart—the opera portrays the time of Don Juan's life as a womanizer. (Albert, 2007, 10). The 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 CITATION Wol85 \p 5 \l 1033 (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 CITATION Wol85 \p 6 \l 1033 (Mozart., 1985, p. 6)[2. Fisher, B. D. (2002). Don Giovanni. Opera Journeys Publishing2. Rudel, A. J. (2001). Imagining Don Giovanni. Antlanta: Atlantic Monthly PressRushton, J. (1981). W. A. Mozart: Don Giovanni. New York: Cambridge University PressWoodfield, I. (2010). The Vienna Don Giovanni. Viena: Boydell & Brewer Print.] 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 CITATION Wol85 \p 7 \l 1033 (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 CITATION Rus81 \p 4 \l 1033 (Rushton, 1981, p. 4). For example, the case where Don Giovanni's Ex-girlfriend, Elvira, who continues to pursue him, manages to disrupt him from seducing other women. Don Giovanni eventually elopes with Leporello who is his servant by jumping over the wall. The couple find themselves in the graveyard close to Commendatore grave which is crowned with his statue CITATION Bur02 \p 74 \l 1033 (Fisher, 2002, p. 74). The statue speaks to the couple but Leporello is greatly scared as a result of his superstitious nature. In order to prove Leporello wrong, Don Giovanni invites the statue for dinner which the three enjoy sumptuously. The statue gives Don Giovanni the final chance to repent his misgivings, which he refuses and is sent to hell (Fisher, 2005, p.111).[Abert, H. (2007). W. A. Mozart. Yale University Press: PrinstonSnowman, D. (2010). The Gilded Stage: A Social History of Opera. Antlanta: Antlantic Books Pascall, R. (2008). Brahms: Biographical, Documentary and Analytical Studies. New York: Cambridge University Press] Don Giovanni, incorporates the right elements and all forms of art, resulting in the perfect opera and being dubbed as one of the best operas ever produced. The various elements used in the opera ranges from combination of different forms of songs, themes, characters and scenes. These specific elements enhance the flow of the opera as well the suspense the opera gives the audience. The opera is further enhanced by selection of the best character names such as Don Giovanni and Donna Anna CITATION Her07 \p 8 \l 1033 (Abert, 2007, p. 8). The opera is developed on the basis of lyrical inclusion, costumes, instruments, musicians, dancers, composers, prompters, directors, producers, writers, librettists, stage designers, conductors and singers. There are various types of songs emanating for the purposes of performance enhancement of the opera such as: Recitative songs which imitate the operas speech and rhythm, aria songs which enhances expression of the character's feelings, Bel canto songs which enhances the beauty of the opera and finally there is the Castrato songs enhances the sound variations in the opera. Castrato songs enhances the major roles of the opera given that, they were the oldest forms of songs sung alongside operas (Rudel, 2001, 20). Don Giovanni combines all the elements of perfect opera including the songs, costumes, production, dancers, characters, conductors and singers. The opera is basically drama in nature with the inclusion of various tragic sections. It is argued that, don Giovanni is the greatest opera of all times composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart which influences the modern opera music in many ways (Fisher, 2005, 126) Don Giovanni's Uniqueness The uniqueness of Don Giovanni Opera is basically found in the manner in which the characters are portrayed and the integration of various forms of music in the Opera. The use of music in the opera is so perfect such that it clearly represents the emotions and feelings of the characters. The music also is put such that the audience understands the opera's storyline efficiently (Woodfield, 2010, 49) Apart from the other operas, Don Giovanni is actually one of the first operas to include two themes in one piece. The opera combines comedy with tragedy making it the most unique opera of all times. The use of costumes and superstations in the opera enhances the operas uniqueness CITATION Her07 \p 11 \l 1033 (Abert, 2007, p. 11). Don Giovanni's Influence The popularity of don Giovanni results in an extensive admiration by other opera and music composers. Various music and opera composers have borrowed the various aspects of Don Giovanni opera especially the combination of various music genres in a single opera CITATION Ant01 \p 1-20 \l 1033 (Rudel, 2001, pp. 1-20). The greatest influence of Don Giovanni opera is reflected in ‘Reminiscences' composed by Franz Liszt. The ‘minuet' from the act one finale is reflected in Fraz Liszt's manuscript and Don Giovanni. Sigismond Thalberg also makes use the same minuet, alongside "Deh, vieni alla finestra", in his "Grand Fantaisie sur la serenade et le Minuet de Don Juan" CITATION Ant01 \p 1-20 \l 1033 (Rudel, 2001, pp. 1-20). The influence of Don Giovanni opera in the music is also reflected in th...