W. A. Mozart: Don Giovanni (Cambridge Opera Handbooks) - Softcover

Rushton, Julian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521296633 ISBN 13: 9780521296632

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1981

Synopsis

This book is a study of Mozart's Don Giovanni, his second opera to a libretto by da Ponte. Although it is one of the handful of best-known and most often performed operas of the last two hundred years, Don Giovanni is seldom given in an authentic form and arguments persist as to its nature. Julian Rushton takes the view that, notwithstanding the tragic nature of certain scenes, it must be regarded as an opera buffa. He gives a brief summary of its history and life in the theatre, but the chief historical essay (by Edward Forman) concerns the subject-matter before it reached da Ponte. The book includes a very detailed synopsis which forms the basis of an extended commentary on the librettist's handling of a plot constructed of both original and inherited ideas. Bernard Williams contributes an essay on Don Giovanni as an idea in literature and philosophy since Mozart. The book concludes with an extensive bibliography, and a discography of complete recordings compiled by Malcolm Walker.

About this title

Book Description:

The major portion of this study is concerned with the subject matter of the opera before it reached the librettist da Ponte and considers his handling of a plot constructed of original and inherited ideas. The musical personalities of Anna, Elvira and Giovanni are examined as well.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1981
• ISBN 10: 0521296633
• ISBN 13: 9780521296632
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 165