Qubic
18. maj 2018. u 21.52
A short summary:
Don Giovanni is a noble knight with an unbridled passion for women. In order to conquer them, he resorts to any means, including deceit and lies. In his exploits he also involves his servant Leporello , who is now accustomed to the follies of his master. Poor Donna Elvira , whom he seduced and abandoned, still hopes to redeem him. Here, in this Aria, „Madamina, il catalogo è questo” Donna Elvira is desperate because Don Giovanni has abandoned her. Leporello, Don Giovanni’s servant, consoles her by telling her that she is neither the first nor the last to whom it happens. He shows it to her by taking out a catalog in which he noted the number of conquests of his master in the various countries: Italy, France, Turkey, Spain. Don Giovanni is not concerned with the social position, neither with age, nor with beauty, nor with wealth - just bring the skirt!
Leporello:
My dear lady, this is a list
of the beauties my master has loved,
a list which I have compiled.
Observe, read along with me.
In Italy, six hundred and forty;
in Germany, two hundred and thirty-one;
a hundred in France; in Turkey ninety-one.
In Spain already one thousand and three.
Among these are peasant girls,
maidservants, city girls,
countesses, baronesses,
marchionesses, princesses,
women of every rank,
every shape, every age.
In Italy six hundred and forty, etc.
With blondes it's his habit
to praise their kindness;
in brunettes, their faithfulness;
in the very blonde, their sweetness.
In winter he likes fat
ones.
He calls the tall ones majestic.
The little ones are always charming.
He seduces the old ones
for the pleasure of adding to the list.
His greatest favorite
is the young beginner.
It does not matter if she's rich,
ugly or beautiful;
If she wears to petticoat,
you know what he does!
---
Sir Bryn Terfel: bass-baritone
The Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera
Conductor: Gareth Jones
(Prepared by: Anna Saradjian)
{Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
„Don Giovanni”
„Madamina, il catalogo è questo”
Act I, scene 5}
