Life of Mozart

":202 DON GIOVANNI.is below the level of the situation, and, for want of a counterbalancingforce, it injures the conception of Don Ottavio'scharacter. The masque terzet expresses in a very pure andnoble manner the contrast between an affection based onmoral constancy, such as that of Donna Anna and DonOttavio, and the unwholesome passions of the other characters.Donna Anna, entering masked to play the spy onDon Giovanni, is seized with alarm at the danger whichthreatens them all, especially her lover— " Temo pel carosposo" she sings with her own melting, plaintive tones—andshe calms her fears with difficulty. In the ball-room, wherenoisy merriment is at its height, their dignified appearancegives the assembly a certain air of solemnity. Leporello andDon Giovanni greet them respectfully ; they answer somewhatceremoniously, and join in the cry: " Viva la liberta! "but with a sort of dignified reserve which stamps them as ofsuperior rank to the crowd of country people round them.This is a faithful reflection of the manners of the time ; soalso is the subordination of the chorus in this scene : it wascustomary for country people to keep at a respectful distancebefore persons of rank. When the dance recommences, it isDonna Anna again who finds her feelings so hard to masterthat she almost betrays herself. Zerlina's cry for help is thesignal for an outbreak of general excitement ; and henceforththey are all avowedly ranged against Don Giovanni. DonOttavio acts as the mouthpiece and champion of the women,and calls Don Giovanni to account for the murder of theCommendatore. But he makes no attempt to take thepunishment of the crime into his own hands, and Don Giovanniis allowed to beat a retreat from the presence of hisformer friends and now determined opponents. No chorusis introduced in the last movement of the first finale, andindeed none is conceivable.-^''^ What would be gained inmaterial sound-effects would be lost in true dramatic effect.The "buona gente " do not presume to take part in the175 Even at the beginning of the finale there is no chorus of villagers. DonGiovanni enters with several servants, who echo his greeting to the guests" Sü corraggio, o buona gente !