13-SECOND SYNOPSIS
Don Juan does what Don Juan does—in Italian he’s Don Giovanni—provoking rich and poor and young and old, and exasperating his witty sidekick.  Darkness and disguise help him escape from everyone except the hungry statue.

SYNOPSIS

Act I
As Leporello complains about his role as Don Giovanni’s sidekick, the Don himself attempts to seduce Donna Anna offstage.  Giovanni and Anna appear — as does her father, the Commandant, who fights with, and is slain by, Giovanni. Anna’s fiancé, Don Ottavio, promises to avenge her father’s untimely demise.

Donna Elvira appears, upset about being abandoned by Giovanni.  Leporello enumerates Giovanni’s exploits.

A chorus of villagers enters for the wedding of Zerlina and Masetto.  As Leporello flirts with the peasant girls, Giovanni invites the entire party to his palace, instructing Leporello to distract Masetto so he can attempt to seduce Zerlina. Donna Elvira rushes in, just in time to rescue Zerlina.  Donna Anna and Don Ottavio enter, seeking her father’s murderer. Meanwhile, Zerlina and Masetto argue in the garden, where he blames her for Giovanni’s attentions.

Giovanni and Leporello offer the peasants coffee, chocolate, and sweets—a taste of high class—as Leporello distracts Masetto and Giovanni again leads Zerlina away.

Octavio, Anna, and Elvira arrive, masked, hunting for Giovanni.  They hear Zerlina’scries for help, and go with Masetto to rescue her.

Giovanni and Leporello acknowledge that Giovanni is in danger of being caught by everyone.

Act II
Leporello attempts to leave Giovanni’s service.  Giovanni persuades him to stay, and to trade cloaks with him.  In the dark, Giovanni’s voice and cloak (the latter on Leporello) attract Donna Elvira.  In Leporello’s cloak, Giovanni traps Masetto.

In the churchyard, a statue of the late Commandant comes to life and threatens Giovanni, who arrogantly invites it to supper.

That evening, as musicians play and Don Giovanni eats, Donna Elvira arrives, again begging for his love and faithfulness.  She leaves, almost delirious, and suddenly screams.  A knock sounds at the door:  the statue of the Commandant has arrived. Leporello is terrified, but Giovanni is bold until the cold statue takes his hand.  The statue leads Giovanni off to death and hell to pay for his nefarious deeds.

The rest of the characters arrive, and after Leporello tells them what happened, each announces new plans:  Donna Anna asks Ottavio to extend their engagement a year; Elvira plans to enter a convent; Zerlina and Masetto plan to marry immediately, Leporello seeks a new master, and everyone agrees that justice is served.

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