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Who is Don Giovanni in Mozart’s opera?
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Don Giovanni
Illustration (c. 1914) of a scene from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Don Giovanni (1787), in which Don Giovanni attempts to seduce Zerlina.
In Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera, Don Giovanni is the central character, portrayed as a notorious and licentious nobleman. He is a fictional libertine who spends his time seducing women across various nations, a pursuit famously cataloged by his servant, Leporello.123
The opera follows the consequences of his immoral behavior, including his attempted rape of the peasant Zerlina and his defiance of social and moral order. Ultimately, Don Giovanni’s actions lead to his downfall; he is confronted by the statue of the Commendatore, whom he had previously killed, and is dragged down into hell for refusing to repent. While the character is a villain, his rebellious nature has historically fascinated audiences and critics alike.213