Exploring Don Giovanni's Many Female Companions

Don Giovanni is a notorious libertine and seducer, and the subject of Mozart's opera of the same name. The opera is based on a centuries-old Spanish legend about a libertine, as told by playwright Tirso de Molina in his 1630 play, El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra. In the opera, Don Giovanni's servant, Leporello, keeps a catalogue of his master's conquests in a little black book, listing the number of women seduced in each of several nations. In total, Leporello's catalogue lists 2,065 women.

Don Giovanni's servant, Leporello, kept a little black book listing the names of his master's conquests

Don Giovanni is a notorious libertine and seducer, and his servant, Leporello, keeps a little black book listing the names of his master's conquests. In the opera, Don Giovanni, Leporello reads from his little black book, listing the many women his master has seduced, organised by country.

Leporello's catalogue reveals that Don Giovanni has had 640 conquests in Italy, 231 in Germany, 100 in France, 91 in Turkey, and 1,003 in Spain. That's a grand total of 2,065 women!

Leporello's little black book is not just a list of names, though. He has also cross-referenced the names by town and district and included details such as the women's hair colour, social rank, and even their body types. For example, Don Giovanni preferred thin women in the summer and fat women in the winter.

The opera Don Giovanni is based on a centuries-old Spanish legend about a libertine, as told by playwright Tirso de Molina in his 1630 play, El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra. It is a dramma giocoso, blending comedy, melodrama, and supernatural elements.

The story begins in Seville, with Don Giovanni attempting to seduce Donna Anna, the daughter of his neighbour, The Commander. When The Commander discovers Don Giovanni in his house, he challenges him to a duel and is killed. Don Giovanni flees with Leporello, and Donna Anna asks her fiancé, Don Ottavio, to avenge her father's death.

The next day, Don Giovanni and Leporello encounter one of Don Giovanni's former conquests, Donna Elvira, who is devastated by his betrayal. Leporello tries to console her, telling her she is not the first nor the last woman to fall victim to his master. He then shows her his catalogue of Don Giovanni's conquests, singing the famous Catalogue Aria, "Madamina, il catalogo è questo."

Throughout the opera, Don Giovanni continues his attempts to seduce women, particularly the bride-to-be, Zerlina. However, his plans are often thwarted by Donna Elvira, who seeks revenge for his betrayal.

In the end, Don Giovanni's seductions catch up with him, and he is dragged down to hell for his sins. Despite his many conquests, Leporello's little black book ends with a grand total of zero, as none of Don Giovanni's attempts are successful within the opera.

Leporello's catalogue aria lists the number of women in each country: 640 in Italy, 231 in Germany, 100 in France, 91 in Turkey, and 1,003 in Spain

In Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, the titular character is a notorious libertine and seducer. In the famous Catalogue Aria, Don Giovanni's servant, Leporello, reveals the extent of his master's conquests. Leporello's catalogue aria lists the number of women seduced by Don Giovanni in each country: 640 in Italy, 231 in Germany, 100 in France, 91 in Turkey, and a remarkable 1,003 in Spain.

Leporello's catalogue is not merely a list of names. Mozart's musical genius enhances the aria, with specific musical characteristics assigned to different types of women. For example, petite women are portrayed with short notes, while ladies of more grandeur are described with longer note values. The aria is a showcase of Mozart's ability to match music with narrative detail.

The Catalogue Aria is a pivotal moment in the opera, revealing Don Giovanni's character as a serial seducer and setting in motion the opera's plot. The aria also provides comedic relief, as Leporello comically recounts the numerous conquests of his master.

The numbers in Leporello's catalogue are impressive and fantastical, and it is worth questioning their accuracy. While the opera portrays Don Giovanni's failures in seduction, the numbers suggest an incredibly successful libertine. The discrepancy adds a layer of intrigue to Don Giovanni's character and leaves the audience wondering about the true extent of his conquests.

In conclusion, Leporello's catalogue aria is a highlight of Mozart's Don Giovanni, providing insight into the title character's nature, driving the plot forward, and offering a unique blend of comedy and musical brilliance. The specific numbers associated with each country—640 in Italy, 231 in Germany, 100 in France, 91 in Turkey, and 1,003 in Spain—contribute to the aria's impact and have cemented its place as one of the most memorable moments in opera.

Don Giovanni's lovers included women of every rank of society, from peasant girls to countesses

Don Giovanni's lover count is said to be 2,065 women, according to Leporello, his servant, who keeps a "little black book" with the names of each of his master's conquests. In the opera, Don Giovanni, there is a scene where Donna Elvira, one of Don Giovanni's former lovers, meets his servant, Leporello, and hears about the numerous women her lover has seduced.

Don Giovanni's attraction to women transcended social class and status. He was interested in women of all backgrounds, from peasant girls to noblewomen. This is evident in the opera, where he attempts to seduce both Zerlina, a peasant girl, and Donna Anna, the daughter of his neighbour, a Commandant.

In addition to his attraction to women of different social classes, Don Giovanni also had a preference for women of different physical attributes. Leporello mentions in the opera that his master has seasonal preferences: he favours fuller-figured women in winter and thinner women in summer.

Don Giovanni's seduction techniques varied depending on the woman he was pursuing. For example, with Zerlina, he invites her and her fiancé, Masetto, to his castle, and then detains Zerlina under the pretext of giving her a tour while Masetto is persuaded to leave. With Donna Anna, he takes advantage of the night and the fact that she is expecting her fiancé, Don Ottavio, to visit her. He enters her room masked, and when she realises it is not her fiancé, a struggle ensues.

Don Giovanni's behaviour towards women was not limited to seduction and manipulation. He was also capable of using force and violence when his advances were rejected. In the opera, when Donna Anna discovers that Don Giovanni is not her fiancé, she tries to fight him off, but he covers her mouth and embraces her by force.

Don Giovanni's conquests were not limited to women of marriageable age. He also attempted to seduce young girls, such as Zerlina, who is described as a "bride-to-be" and a "peasant girl".

The opera Don Giovanni provides a detailed portrayal of the title character's behaviour and interactions with women. It offers insight into the social dynamics and power imbalances of the time, as well as exploring the consequences of Don Giovanni's actions.

Don Giovanni praises blonde women for their kindness and brunette women for their faithfulness

Don Giovanni is a notorious libertine and seducer, known for his insatiable appetite for women. In the opera that bears his name, Don Giovanni's servant, Leporello, reveals the extent of his master's conquests in a famous aria known as the "Catalogue Aria". According to Leporello, Don Giovanni has bedded an impressive number of women, with varying attributes and from different countries.

Among the attributes that Don Giovanni praises in women are their hair colour. He values blondes for their kindness and sweetness, while brunettes are favoured for their faithfulness. This preference for blonde and brunette women is not just based on physical attraction, but also on perceived personality traits that he finds desirable.

In the opera, Don Giovanni's pursuit of women leads him to attempt the seduction of Zerlina, a peasant girl who is newly engaged to Masetto. However, his plans are thwarted by Donna Elvira, a past conquest whom he had abandoned. Throughout the opera, Don Giovanni's behaviour towards women is depicted as manipulative and callous, as he deceives his way into their hearts and taunts the men who love them.

The opera Don Giovanni, composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, is a blend of comedy and tragedy, combining light-hearted and dramatic elements. It premiered in Prague in 1787 and has since become recognised as one of the greatest operas of all time.

Don Giovanni's attempted seduction of Donna Anna fails when she realises he is not her fiancé

Don Giovanni, a young, arrogant, and sexually promiscuous nobleman, is a serial seducer and a rapist. The opera begins with him attempting to seduce Donna Anna, the daughter of his neighbour, the Commander. He enters the Commendatore's house, masked, and makes his way into Donna Anna's bedroom. She fights him off and calls for help. Her father, the Commendatore, arrives and challenges Giovanni to a duel, during which Giovanni kills him.

Donna Anna's fiancé, Don Ottavio, arrives and she makes him swear to avenge her father's death. Meanwhile, Giovanni and his servant, Leporello, flee the scene. Leporello complains about his demanding master and his thankless job, which includes keeping watch while Giovanni attempts to seduce women.

In the next scene, Giovanni and Leporello encounter Donna Elvira, a woman seeking revenge on her former lover who had abandoned her. Giovanni flirts with her, but it turns out he is the former lover she is seeking. He pushes Leporello forward, ordering him to tell Donna Elvira the truth, and then hurries away. Donna Elvira is horrified to learn that Giovanni has been unfaithful to her and has bedded many other women.

Later, Giovanni attempts to seduce Zerlina, a young peasant woman who is about to marry Masetto. He invites everyone to a wedding celebration at his castle and tries to remove the jealous Masetto by offering to host the party. Masetto is forced to leave, and Giovanni begins his seductive arts with Zerlina. However, Donna Elvira arrives and thwarts the seduction, taking Zerlina away.

Donna Anna and Don Ottavio enter the scene, still plotting their vengeance on the unknown murderer of Donna Anna's father. Unaware that she is speaking to her attacker, Donna Anna pleads for Giovanni's help. He promises to help and asks who has disturbed her peace. Before she can answer, Donna Elvira returns and exposes Giovanni as a false-hearted seducer. Giovanni tries to convince Don Ottavio and Donna Anna that Donna Elvira is insane.

As Giovanni leaves, Donna Anna suddenly recognises his voice as that of her attacker and tells Don Ottavio the full story of the night's events. She reiterates the need for revenge, and Don Ottavio, though doubtful that a nobleman could act so dishonourably, resolves to help her.

Giovanni, undeterred by the growing number of people seeking revenge on him, continues his pursuit of Zerlina. He hosts a grand party and attempts to isolate her from the other guests. However, Donna Anna, Don Ottavio, and Donna Elvira arrive, disguised, and are invited to join the festivities. They come just in time to hear Zerlina scream for help as Giovanni tries to assault her. Giovanni tries to blame Leporello for the assault, but he is denounced and menaced from all sides. Despite this, he remains calm and escapes.

The attempted seduction of Donna Anna by Don Giovanni fails when she realises that he is not her fiancé, Don Ottavio. Instead, she believes that he is trying to rape her and calls for her father's help. This ultimately leads to the death of her father and sets in motion a series of events where Don Giovanni is pursued by Donna Anna, Don Ottavio, and others seeking revenge.

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