And he could have avoided the cemetery, too. He's Da Ponte's Wile E. Coyote.
I used to think Don Ottavio was only understandable if one read him as very young (he doesn't score either, and I always thought Dona Anna's protestations that she needed time to think meant she was only tepidly in love with him - and was at least in the beginning strongly attracted to the rake instead of this so very respectable young man; but you make a convincing case that he actually is a good, thoughtful planner and strategist.
Incidentally, I disagree with the comment above re: DG being more humane because he doesn't fight Masetto, "only" beats him. Of course a noble wouldn't fight a peasant.
Also, the music tells us of Mozart's faith, but the words don't especially show Da Ponte in awe of any higher power.
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Re: Thank you!
Date: 2009-11-25 01:18 pm (UTC)I used to think Don Ottavio was only understandable if one read him as very young (he doesn't score either, and I always thought Dona Anna's protestations that she needed time to think meant she was only tepidly in love with him - and was at least in the beginning strongly attracted to the rake instead of this so very respectable young man; but you make a convincing case that he actually is a good, thoughtful planner and strategist.
Incidentally, I disagree with the comment above re: DG being more humane because he doesn't fight Masetto, "only" beats him. Of course a noble wouldn't fight a peasant.
Also, the music tells us of Mozart's faith, but the words don't especially show Da Ponte in awe of any higher power.