Don Giovanni, 2012
Cast
Don Giovanni Grant Doyle
Leporello Joshua Bloom
Donna Anna Natasha Jouhl
Donna Elvira Sophie Bevan
Zerlina Mary Bevan
Don Ottavio Jesús León
Masetto Callum Thorpe
Commendatore Christophoros Stamboglis
Conductor Douglas Boyd
Director Daniel Slater
Designer Leslie Travers
Garsington Opera Orchestra and Chorus
Synopsis
Act One
Leporello is waiting for Giovanni, who is with Anna. The sounds of a struggle wake up Anna’s father, the Commendatore, who is horrified by what he sees. The two men fight and Giovanni, leaving the Commendatore for dead, makes his escape. Ottavio attempts to comfort Anna, his fiancée.
Giovanni encounters Elvira, who has come in search of him after they had an affair and he promised her marriage. Giovanni manages to slip away, leaving Leporello to inform Elvira that she is neither the first nor the last casualty of Giovanni’s sexual exploits. Elvira expresses her outrage at the way he has betrayed her.
Giovanni joins a group of people who are enjoying themselves watching Zerlina play bride to Masetto’s groom. Drawn to Zerlina, Giovanni urges Leporello to take the furious groom and the others off to a party at his house. Left alone with Zerlina, Giovanni’s pursuit is interrupted by Elvira, who removes the girl from harm’s way.
Encountering Anna and Ottavio, Giovanni promises to help find the person who attacked her father. They are interrupted by Elvira, who denounces Giovanni. His attempts to convince them that Elvira is insane fall on deaf ears: Anna understands immediately that scorned love, not madness, motivates the other woman. Left alone with Ottavio, Anna suddenly accuses Giovanni of attempting to seduce her and of killing her father.
Still determined to capture Zerlina, Giovanni finalises plans for a mad house-party. Three gatecrashers turn up, in masks: Ottavio, Anna and Elvira. As the guests cavort and dance, Giovanni whirls Zerlina from the room. Her cries bring the whole company together. Giovanni finds his behaviour publicly exposed, but he is helped to escape before anyone can exact revenge.
Interval
Act Two
Leporello and Giovanni fight: Leporello wants to quit, but a bribe finally persuades him to stay. Giovanni claims to have set his sights on another girl and, to assist his intentions, he forces Leporello to swap clothes with him. Charming Elvira with his voice, he then uses Leporello as a decoy to lure her away. But he is surprised by Masetto, who plans to kill Giovanni, and who has hired a gang to help him. Pretending to be Leporello, Giovanni sends the gang on a wild goose chase and beats up Masetto – who turns to Zerlina for comfort.
Leporello is trying to lose Elvira and, mistaken by everyone for Giovanni, confesses to the deception, before making good his escape. Ottavio then takes charge, announcing that he will avenge the Commendatore and punish the guilty.
Giovanni and Leporello meet in the place where the body of Anna’s father has been laid to rest. They are interrupted by the sound of the Commendatore’s voice, seemingly from beyond the grave. Defiantly, Giovanni asks the Commendatore to dine with him. He accepts.
Ottavio provokes an argument with Anna by suggesting they marry as soon as possible. She tells him that, as the man who murdered her father remains unpunished, she cannot begin to think of marriage.
Giovanni is having supper when Elvira arrives to make one final plea, but he rejects her offer. Rushing out, she is heard to scream and Leporello goes to investigate. It is the Commendatore, come to accept Giovanni’s invitation. He tells his host that he has only a few moments left on earth and urges him to repent. Giovanni refuses and finds himself in his own personal hell. Revenge has nally been exacted.
Ottavio is joined by the others, who hear a terrified Leporello explain what has occurred. Everyone proposes plans for a future without Giovanni, and all go their separate ways.