Mozart and Opera: Key Concepts and Don Giovanni

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ($1756-1791$): An Austrian composer, renowned as a child prodigy. He began composing at age five. His father extensively toured Europe with him and his sister, Nannerl, showcasing their talents.

Disputes and Freelance Career: Mozart struggled with employers, especially Archbishop Colloredo of Salzburg, opposing the "servant" status of musicians. He sought a position of honor but was often dissatisfied, eventually moving to Vienna in $1781$ to freelance.

Vienna Period: In Vienna, he made money through concerts, publishing, and lessons. He was friends with Haydn and became known as a leading keyboard player and opera composer.

Notable Operas: Composed $22$ operas, including The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute.

Opera Seria vs. Comic Opera:

• Opera Seria: Italian, dramatic/tragic, mythological/historical subjects (gods, heroes), for nobility.

• Comic Opera: Vernacular, happy/light, everyday people, for the middle class.

Dramma Giocoso: A blend of serious and comic elements, exemplified by Don Giovanni.

Don Giovanni: Based on the legendary Spanish seducer, Don Juan. Mozart uses distinct musical styles to characterize each role:

• Leporello (servant): Simple, plain style.

• Donna Anna (noblewoman): Elevated, elaborate, high-pitched, coloratura lines.

• Commendatore (father): Forceful, slow, angry, then slowing and quieter as he dies.

• Don Giovanni: Changes style to suit the character he is addressing.

Plot Introduction of Don Giovanni: Don Giovanni attempts to seduce Donna Anna, who chases him off. Her father, the Commendatore, fights Giovanni and is killed. The music matches the action, with tense, exciting rhythms during the fight, then slowing and becoming quieter as the Commendatore dies.

Later Plot of Don Giovanni: Features Don Giovanni's betrayals (Elvira), attempts to seduce others, a disguise plot with Leporello, and his eventual downfall when the Commendatore's statue invites him to dinner and drags him to hell.

Mozart's Final Years: Received a secret commission for a Requiem Mass, which he never finished due to illness. He died in debt in $1791$.