Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

fact that he is pursued by another distressed maiden, the Donna Elvira, a former victim of his
fleeting passion, he proceeds to continue to amuse himself with wild festivals and orgies, in all of
which he is aided and abetted by his equally gay and rascally servant Leporello. He endeavours to
steal the honour of a pretty peasant maiden, Zerlina, who is about to be wedded to her humble
lover, Masetto; but this vile plan is thwarted by the timely appearance of Donna Elvira, Donna
Anna and Don Ottavio, who have joined their forces against the libertine, who is compelled at last
to make a hasty retreat from their presence. As he wends his way through the streets of Seville at
midnight in company with the rogue Leporello he passes a statue which has been erected to the
memory of the late governor, whom he slew; and as he proceeds to mock this representation of his
dead victim, the statue replies to his words of scorn, warning him that he will die before the
morrow. The cowardly Leporello is filled with terror, and beseeches his excited master to hasten
from the spot; but Don Giovanni has no fear, and recklessly invites the statue to join him at supper
that night, passing on his way with laughing indifference. Later on Don Giovanni is seated at
supper with his wild companions; and in the midst of the revels Donna Elvira appears, having
come to give her callous betrayer another chance of forgiveness if he will agree to repent of his
excesses, for she fears that some terrible fate is in store for him if he continues in his wild and
careless folly and wickedness. But all her loving entreaties are in vain, and Don Giovanni only
laughs at her fears and repudiates her advances. At this moment, however, the sound of a heavy
and unaccustomed tread is heard without; and, to the terror of all except the reckless libertine
himself, the animated statue of the dead governor enters the banquet-hall, declaring that he has
come in answer to the hosts invitation. The statue endeavours to turn the wild young man from his
evil ways; but finding that all his warnings and threats are in vain he bids him prepare to meet his
just doom. Even now Don Giovanni refuses to repent; and as a result the statue suddenly vanishes
and the ground opens, from whence issue fierce flames and a horde of demons, who seize the
libertine and drag him down to their own dreadful regions.
111. IDOMENEUS
Grand Opera in Three Acts By Johann Chrysostomus Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto By Abbate Gian Battista Varesco
First Produced Munich, 1781
Chief Characters Ilia, Elektra, Idomeneus, Idamantes, Arbaces
THE scene is laid in the Island of Crete, immediately following the Trojan War. Ilia, Priams
daughter, weeps in captivity; but when her captor, Idamantes, son of Idomeneus, the King of
Crete, sets her free, with the other captive Trojans, she regains her interest in life. The tenderhearted
and brave young Prince falls in love with her; and though Ilia at first fights against it she
soon returns his affection. This rouses hate and jealousy in the heart of Elektra, the daughter of
Agamemnon; for she loves Idamantes, and had received his attentions before the arrival of the
captive Princess. The news is brought that Idomeneus has been shipwrecked, and all the people are
plunged in grief. The report proves a false one, however; for Idomeneus has been saved by the god
Neptune, to whom he had prayed in his distress, and who saves his life on condition that he offers
up as a sacrifice of thanksgiving the first person who meets him on his return. Unhappily
Idamantes, hastening to the beach to greet his rescued father, is the first person he greets, and
Idomeneus is filled with grief and despair. He says nothing to his son about his vow, but tries to