Mozart’s Don Giovanni “Catalogue Aria”

Order Description
This week we are discussing various opera companies’ productions of Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni (in particular the “Catalogue Aria”, the most famous aria from this opera). The focus is on the productions themselves and how they help or hinder the music, the scene, and the story of the opera itself. The videos may or may not have the words in subtitles, and those subtitles may or may not be in English! Thus, you may wish to have the textbook’s listening guide available as you watch the videos.

Listen to the “Catalogue Aria” in the textbook. Read the summary of the opera’s plot, as well as the words of the recitative section and the aria, so that you are familiar with the story and scene.
Watch the four stagings of the “Catalogue Aria”. A staging includes the set & props, the costumes, and the stage directions (acting) of the singers. It also includes the singing, of course!
Analyze the stagings. For each staging answer the following questions:
Describe the staging briefly. Is this a traditional (something akin to 17th-century Spain) or a modern setting?
Does the staging enhance the music or detract from the music? Does the staging enhance the story or detract from the story? Did the staging fit (make sense with) the opera’s story? Any slight changes (costumes, etc.) you would suggest to make the staging better?
Think about Leporello’s character – he is, in a way, the moral compass of the opera. Does the staging present him in a sympathetic light, or is he shown as bad (or worse) than Don Giovanni?
Make a judgment about the productions: which staging do you prefer, and why?

Use these four videos for the 4.3 Opera Stagings Discussion.

Staging A of “Catalogue Aria”
This video has subtitles in English, so you can get the gist of the words.

2014 Castleton Festival, Tyler Simpson/Leporello https://youtu.be/qgC3GGxF1E0
Staging B of “Catalogue Aria”
This video has subtitles not in English, sorry (I think it’s Czech, but am not sure!).

1991 Salzburg Opera production, Ferruccio Ferlanetto/Leporello https://youtu.be/WMHaLPssTEY

Staging C of “Catalogue Aria”
Below I’m including a separate video of just the powerpoint used in this staging, in case it will help!

2010 Berkeley Opera, Igor Vieira/Leporello https://youtu.be/S_EI1O3vt5Q
Powerpoint used https://youtu.be/g6saKjs_12M

Staging D of “Catalogue Aria”
This production uses a different “translation” of the words – see what you think! This video includes Donna Elvira’s aria, recitative (starts about 5:11), and then the “Catalogue Aria” (which starts at 8:20) – you only need to watch the aria but the recitative is of interest too.

1980 Peter Sellars production/film, Herbert Perry/Leporello https://youtu.be/N62Ln0kU9zs