Simone Perugini - Gazzaniga: Don Giovanni o sia il convitato di pietra (2020)

Giuseppe Gazzaniga (1743-1818) - DON GIOVANNI O SIA IL CONVITATO DI PIETRA - Dramma giocoso in un atto su libretto di Giovanni Bertati [A one-act comic opera on a Libretto by Giovanni Bertati]. Musica di Giuseppe Gazzaniga [Music by Giuseppe Gazzaniga]. Prima rappresentazione: Venezia, Teatro San Moisé, febbraio 1787 [First Performance: Venice, Teatro San Moisé, 1787, February]. RECORDING CAST: Roberto Vicarelli (Il Commendatore); Andrew Wright (Don Giovanni Tenorio); Irving Hussain (Pasquariello); Laurie Farrel-Smith (Donna Anna); July Wason (Donna Elvira); Laura Valdarnini (Donna Ximena); Lucio Tiberi (Duca Ottavio); Matteo Falorni (Biagio); Cristina Laurini (Maturina); Luigi Credico (Lanterna). Fête Galante Baroque Orchestre; Simone Perugini (Conductor). LINER NOTES: Don Giovanni, o sia Il convitato di pietra, (English: Don Giovanni, or The Stone Guest) also known as Don Giovanni Tenorio is a one-act opera (dramma giocoso) by the Italian composer Giuseppe Gazzaniga. The opera was first performed at the Teatro San Moisè, Venice, on 5 February 1787, the same day as Francesco Gardi's opera Don Giovanni in the same city at the Teatro San Samuele. The libretto, by Giovanni Bertati, is based on the legend of Don Juan as told by Tirso de Molina in his play The Trickster of Seville and the Stone Guest (c. 1630), leading to comparisons with Mozart's Don Giovanni which had its premiere later in 1787. Mozart's librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, certainly knew the earlier opera. Gazzaniga's work is much shorter than Mozart's, and originally formed part of a double-bill with another piece, "Il capriccio drammatico" that was composed by another intalian composer: Giovanni Valentini. With his manservant Pasquariello keeping watch outside, Don Giovanni attempts to seduce Donna Anna. Donna Anna's father, the Commendatore, challenges Giovanni to a duel and is killed. Ottavio, Anna's fiancé, swears vengeance. Meanwhile Don Giovanni encounters his old lover. Donna Elvira. As Don Giovanni woos Donna Ximena, Pasquariello gives Elvira a detailed account all his master's amorous conquests. Maturina and Biagio, accompanied by a party of peasants, arrive. Maturina and Biagio are about to be married, but Don Giovanni chases off a furious Biagio and attempts (unsuccessfully) to seduce Maturina. Don Giovanni and Pasquariello follow Ottavio when he visits the Commendatore's tomb. Pasquariello is terrified when he hears the statue accept an invitation to dinner. Later that evening at Don Giovanni's house, Elvira pleads with the Don to mend his ways. She leaves when he refuses. Giovanni and Pasquariello enjoy their dinner and sing the praises of food, wine, and Venetian women. The statue suddenly arrives and drags Don Giovanni to his death. Ottavio and the women enter. Pasquariello and Lanterna describe Giovanni's fate to them. The opera ends as all rejoice at his downfall.