CHAN 3057 Book Cover.qxd - Chandos

CHAN 3057 BOOK.qxd 13/7/07 3:51 pm Page 10223Donna AnnaAnd then the shame and horror of this dreadfulviolation gives me strength to repulse him, bystruggling, twisting, turning, fighting him indesperation, thus I escape him.Don OttavioMy God! I’m gasping.Donna AnnaSo then I begin to shout once more, louder andlouder; the villain flees; I follow in pursuit outinto the street and try to stop him, so now theprey turns on the hunter. My father approaches,bravely challenges, but the intruder, who isstronger by far when fighting a duel, crowns allhis evil doing… murder most cruel!AriaHe threatened my honour,attempted to rape me;and that was the traitorwho slaughtered my father:I beg you for vengeance,let rage be your guide.Remember him woundedand think of him falling;the body, the bloodshed,the sight was appalling;don’t ever forget him,you know why he died.He threatened my honour etc.(Exit.)2425Scene 14RecitativeDon OttavioCould I ever believe that a nobleman committedsuch a cold-blooded murder! Ah, I must seekfurther to uncover the truth: it is my duty as alover and a friend to do all that I can: either I’lldisabuse her or I’ll avenge her!Scene 15RecitativeLeporelloI’m at the end of my tether, I’m going to leavethis lunatic for ever! Talk of the devil; just lookat him, no idea of the havoc he’s causing!Don GiovanniMy dear Leporello! Everything’s wonderful.LeporelloMy dear Don Giovanni! Everything’s terrible!Don GiovanniWhat do you mean ‘terrible’?LeporelloI went home, Sir, and did as you commandedfor all those vulgar people…Don GiovanniWell done!LeporelloI kept them all chattering, with flattery andhumbug – a technique you have taught me sowell – trying to entertain them…Don GiovanniWell done!LeporelloI did my best to occupy Masetto, I tried to stophim raging with jealousy.Don GiovanniWell done! Well done, I really mean it!LeporelloI got them drinking, the men and the women:very soon they were tipsy; they were singing,they were gossiping, they kept knocking itback… it all went well, until who d’you thinkarrived?Don GiovanniZerlina?LeporelloWell done! And who was with her?Don GiovanniDonn’ Elvira?LeporelloWell done! And saying of you?Don GiovanniEvery insult that came into her head…26LeporelloWell done! Well done, I really mean it!Don GiovanniAnd what was your response?LeporelloSilence.Don GiovanniAnd she?LeporelloScreamed even more.Don GiovanniAnd you?…LeporelloWell, when I thought she was running out ofsteam, very gently I took her out through thegarden and then I neatly locked the gate behindher, I was very discreet, and left her all alone outin the street.Don GiovanniWell done, well done, what a genius! Youcouldn’t have done better. What you have startedI’m about to resolve. I love the thought of eachdirty little peasant; an afternoon with them willbe more than pleasant.AriaDon GiovanniNow that the wine hasstopped them from thinking,102103