CHAN 3057 Book Cover.qxd - Chandos

CHAN 3057 BOOK.qxd 13/7/07 3:51 pm Page 130Don Giovanni and LeporelloWhat now? Why is she screaming?Don GiovanniGo and see what has upset her!LeporelloAh! (off-stage, then he returns terrified )Don GiovanniHe’s screaming like the devil!Leporello, what is wrong?What’s out there?(The musicians depart hurriedly.)LeporelloAh! My Lord! We have to hide?Don’t attempt to go outside.It’s the marble statue walking,through the darknesstowards us, he’s stalking.If you saw his stony features…heard the noise his footsteps make.Ta, ta, ta, ta! (imitating the Commendatore’sfootsteps)Don GiovanniI refuse to hear this nonsense!LeporelloTa, ta, ta, ta!Don GiovanniYou have gone completely mad!(There is knocking at the door.)LeporelloNow you hear him!Don GiovanniSomeone’s knocking!Open!Leporello (trembling)I dare not.Don GiovanniWill you open!LeporelloAh!Don GiovanniOpen!LeporelloAh!Don GiovanniMadman! To prove that you are dreaming,I shall open it myself, I’ll go myself.LeporelloI don’t want to see what’s out there,so I’ll hide here on the floor.(Don Giovanni takes a lamp and his sword andgoes to open the door; Leporello hides under thetable.)27Scene 15Commendatore (enters solemnly)Don Giovanni!I was invitedto your tableand I accepted!Don GiovanniI would never have expected,but I’ll do the best I can!Leporello, where’s the supper?We’ve a guest so lay the table!LeporelloAh my Lord, ah my Lord!We are dead men, I’m not able.Don Giovanni (grabbing him)I command you!Commendatore (to Leporello)Stay where you are!One who’s tasted the food of the angelshas no need for the diet of mortals.Other matters of much graver import,other reasons have guided me here.LeporelloI am shaking as if I’d a fever,death will come as a blessed relief.Don GiovanniOther reasons? Then tell me! What are they?CommendatoreSilence! You listen! My time here is brief.Don GiovanniTell me, tell me, I’m waiting to hear.CommendatoreYours was the invitation,you can in turn oblige me.Reply to me, reply to me:I bid you dine with me in my house.Leporello (keeping his distance, still trembling)Oh no, oh no! He has a prior engagement.Don GiovanniI’ve never been a coward,nor shall I be one now!CommendatoreDecided?Don GiovanniI have decided.CommendatoreYour answer?Leporello (to Don Giovanni)Oh tell him no, oh tell him no!Don GiovanniMy heart is firm within me.I’ll have no fear; I’ll go!CommendatoreGive me your hand in token!Don GiovanniHere it is! Alas!130131