Exercises

1. Practise reading the words from the text. Learn their Russian equivalents.

alteration, aria, to bow, to cancel, demonic, drowsy, effective, entire, impresario, intently, intrigue, libretto, luminous, melodrama, monk, overture, première, primal, rehearsal, reprobate, unmitigated, unrehearsed

2. Practise reading the following proper nouns:

Prague, Vienna, Da Ponte, Don Juan, Molière, Tirso de Molina

What do you know about these people and places?

3. Find in the text the words and phrases with the following meanings:

1) in general; 2) all, the whole; 3) to begin, to start; 4) great effort; 5) to sleep for a while; 6) praise; 7) broad, spacious; 8) at once, suddenly; 9) a change; 10) to make more difficult; 11) in spite of sth; 12) great applause; 13) sleepy.

4. VOCABULARY

1) to take shape	7) to go off
2) to be determined to do sth	8) a touch of sth
3) to adjust	9) to creep in(to)
4) (to be/stay/keep sb) awake	10) to stay up
5) to take a nap	11) to be on the/its way
6) (not) to have the heart to do sth	12) to outdo sb (in sth)

5. Translate the sentences from English into Russian:

1. The new building is beginning to take shape. 2. Suspicion began to take shape in his mind. 3. He was determined to prove that his friend had nothing to do with the robbery. 4. She’ll have to adjust to the new conditions if she accepts the job. 5. The machine needs adjusting. 6. I can’t adjust to the climate here. 7. Adjust your tie. 8. Is he awake yet? 9. I’m not wide awake yet. 10. The noise in the street kept me awake most of last night. 11. The old man always had a nap after lunch. 12. If you don’t take a nap now you won’t be able to work. 13. How can you have the heart to say such things to your sister? 14. I don’t have the heart to do it. 15. The performance went off well. 16. How did the sports meeting go off? 17. Our meetings generally go off very smoothly. 18. “You certainly know what you are talking about,” she said with a touch of irony. 19. Suspicion began to creep into her mind. 20. No one can stay up all night without getting tired. 21. We were told to stay calm, that help was on the way.

6. Translate the sentences using the wording of the text:

1. Наконец, текст оперы начал принимать определенную форму. 2. Опера представлялась Моцарту как трагедия Дон Жуана. 3. Да Понте был полон решимости написать веселую комедию интриг. 4. Главным для либреттиста был сюжет. 5. Он увлекся этой мыслью и создал впечатляющие сцены.

6. Прекрасный текст разжигал его воображение. 7. Трагические мотивы сами собой проникали в музыку оперы. 8. Его не беспокоило, какой по жанру выйдет опера. 9. Он уже записал половину партитуры оперы. 10. Он хотел присутствовать при распределении ролей в «Дон Жуане» и подогнать текст и музыку к голосам певцов. 11. Он сказал, что увертюра должна содержать все главные темы оперы. 12. Он был не в состоянии нанимать других певцов. 13. «Сомневаюсь, что вы успеете написать увертюру, даже если проработаете всю ночь (не будете ложиться спать) всю ночь». 14. «Прикажите переписчикам прийти в гостиницу в семь часов утра». 15. Мысли о предстоящем спектакле не давали ему уснуть. 16. От пунша его клонило в сон. 17. Он не мог сосредоточиться. 18. «Вздремни немного, я подниму тебя через час». 19. У нее не хватило духа разбудить его. 20. Бондини был вне себя от гнева. 21. Переполненный зал волновался. 22. Он уверял их, что они способны сыграть увертюру без репетиции. 23. Оркестр превзошел себя. 24. Первый акт прошел успешно.

7. Translate the sentences from English into Russian:

1. Fired with the desire to buy a motorbike, Brian made his own decision about getting a job. 2. I’m ready to answer questions, fire away. 3. Can we put it down to his ignorance? 4. He’s putting on weight. 5. The least thing puts him out. 6. She was very much put out by your rudeness. 7. I feel quite put out about it. 8. Please put me through to the director. 9. There are many inconveniences that have to be put up with when you are camping. 10. He’s a hearty eater, but still he is very thin. 11. He seemed to lose heart in the business after that. 12. You could hardly pass an evening with her and not lose your heart. 13. “You’re wonderful, Jane,” he said. She took heart: “I wish your friends would think so.” 14. Let’s go through the arguments again. 15. Don’t let go of the rope till I tell you. 16. I’m going out to dinner tonight.

8. Translate the sentences from English into Russian:

1. Fired with this spirit, he went down to an early breakfast, then got down to work. 2. Regular old skinflint he is. What she has to put up with! 3. “I saw it,” she said. “I was as wide awake as you are!” 4. Since Bob had died and Nancy had got married, Mum and Dad didn’t seem to have the heart to leave the farm. 5. He flushed and looked distressed, but I was determined to know the truth. 6. “It is a mystery which has not yet been solved. Perhaps you will solve it.” I was surprised to hear myself say: “I hope so.” - “You will if you are determined to.” 7. “You think, madam, that you may have a little nap and – er…” the doctor broke off tactfully. “I have had a nap, but if you think this was a dream, you’re quite wrong – I saw it, I tell you.” 8. He loves me. I simply shouldn’t have the heart to leave him. 9. I lay in bed, getting hotter and hotter, and more wide awake, till I didn’t know what to do with myself. 10. He was unpopular with his party and yet his management of affairs was so brilliant that they had to put up with him. 11. When you come back we’ll go out together and see a show or two, shall we? 12. “You haven’t been to see your people yet, have you?” he asked. She let go of his hand. It was for the first time that Lionel had suggested that she should see her family. 13. Supposing she should come seriously to lose her heart to him? 14. Afterwards, thinking it over, I was inclined to put everything down to the atmosphere of the house. 15. My hands shaking a little, I adjusted the glasses to my eyes.

9. Retell the text using the given words and word-combinations:

1. to take shape, to convince sb that, to create flesh-and-blood people, now that;

2. to be involved with, to fire one’s imagination, to be concerned about;

3. to attend the casting of “Don Giovanni”, to adjust the text to;

4. to question sth, to afford sth, a great risk;

5. the dress rehearsal, to be cancelled, the essential themes, to stay up all night, to be apprehensive, to be calm and unexcited;

6. to keep sb/oneself awake, to stay awake, drowsy, to nod, to doze, to blot the score, to take a nap, not to have the heart to do sth;

7. to rehearse the overture, to be restive, to be capable of, that positive, to be distributed, to go off smoothly;

8. to conduct (the orchestra), to outdo oneself, an ovation, applause;

9. to be unable to sleep, to sit up (on the couch), to hear the entire score, to be proud of.

10. Translate the following sentences from the text:

1. Mozart saw the tragedy as the drama of the Don who had to follow his nature to its destruction. 2. Da Ponte felt the plot should come first, but Wolfgang stressed the characters and their emotions. 3. Gradually he convinced Da Ponte that they should create flesh-and-blood people rather than the stock figures of melodrama. 4. The more he became involved with the drama of the Don, the more it fired his imagination. 5. Yet while the surface of the music appeared gay, there was somberness underneath. 6. Bondini cast Don Giovanni without considering the composer or poet, and when they questioned several of his decisions, the impresario stated… . 7. After the dress rehearsal he informed the composer that the opening would have to be cancelled. 8. … the strain of nodding and dozing, then abruptly awakening at the sound of her voice was exhausting. 9. He made it sound like a great compliment, but he was not that positive. 10. At the final curtain there was an ovation. 11. Composing doesn’t become easier with time, but harder. I want more from it, I have to have more.

DISCUSSION

1. How did Mozart and Da Ponte interpret Don Juan’s character? Whose viewpoint do you share? What is your attitude towards this legendary hero? (Text 2 from Supplementary Materials might come in useful.)

2. Find evidence in the text to prove that:

a) Don Giovanni was a tremendous success;

b) the creation of the overture for Don Giovanni proved to be very strenuous work for Mozart;

с) the opera Don Giovanni was well ahead of its time.

3. Comment on Mozart’s words: “Composing doesn’t become easier with time, but harder. I want more from it, I have to have more.” Can one say the same about any other work/job/profession?

4. Which makes a greater contribution to shaping a genius – talent or hard work?

5. Read the synopsis of “Don Juan”, choosing the right word:

Act I, Scene One: Donna Anna’s Courtyard

It is night and Leporello, pacing outside the (shack/house/dugout/bungalow) of the Commendatore, grumbles about his unpleasant work, having to (see/be/like/serve) someone like Don Giovanni. His musings are interrupted as a raging Donna Anna flies out of her house pursuing the masked Don Giovanni, who has just tried to seduce her. When the Commendatore comes out to defend his (wife/daughter/sister/mother-in-law), Don Giovanni kills him in a (duet/dual/duel). Anna returns with Don Ottavio, her fiancé, and finds her father’s body.

Act I, Scene Two: Plaza Major

Don Giovanni, on the (phone/ball/blink/prowl) again, encounters Donna Elvira, a lady whom he had abandoned. Don Giovanni asks Leporello to distract her, which he does by reading from a catalogue of his master’s love affairs. Don Giovanni escapes.

At a peasant gathering, Zerlina and Masetto are celebrating their coming (marriage/birthday). Don Giovanni is smitten by the pretty girl and gets Leporello to drag Masetto off while he makes his (plans/advances/eyes) on Zerlina. His progress is interrupted by the (reappearance/disappearance) of Donna Elvira, who spoils his plans by warning Zerlina about the (liberal/libertarian/libertine).

Momentarily thwarted, Don Giovanni meets Don Ottavio and Donna Anna, the latter now in mourning. Anna recognizes his voice and knows he is the man who tried to (convince/convert/seduce) her. She swears vengeance and enlists Ottavio’s help. She leaves and Ottavio sings about how much he (hates/loves/envies) her.

Act I, Scene Three : Don Giovanni’s Garden

At his palace, Don Giovanni plans a new party. In the garden, Zerlina asks Masetto to forgive her apparent (infidelity/fidelity), and Don Giovanni invites them in. Elvira, Anna, and Ottavio appear, masked and cloaked. Giovanni tells Leporello to invite them in as well, while the three vow to punish the (liberal/libertarian/libertine). Inside, as the orchestra strikes up a (waltz/prelude/minuet), Giovanni asks Leporello to distract Masetto and takes Zerlina off. When the girl cries for help, Anna, Elvira, and Ottavio confront Giovanni.

Act II, Scene One: Don Giovanni’s Garden

It is night. Leporello asserts that he is (fed up/delighted) with his master’s behavior. Giovanni appeases Leporello with a few coins and then orders him to exchange cloaks and hat with him, so that Giovanni may better (scare/woo) Elvira’s maid. Elvira appears, and Leporello, feigning his master’s voice at Giovanni’s command, manages to take her off into the night. The Don is now free to serenade the maid.

When Masetto appears leading a band of peasants to (punish/entertain/fool) Giovanni, the disguised (racket/rakish/rake) gives them instructions to spread out, but keeps Masetto with him. He then beats Masetto and escapes. Zerlina hears Masetto’s moans and gently comforts him.

Act II, Scene Two: Donna Anna’s Courtyard

Elvira has followed the (dislocated/disappointed/disguised) Leporello to Anna’s house, and now Anna, Ottavio, Zerlina, and Masetto, all of them mistaking servant for master, join in denouncing him. Frightened, Leporello finally unmasks and manages to escape. Ottavio goes to get the authorities to arrest Giovanni. Meanwhile, Elvira feels sorry for Giovanni, as the noose (tightens/strengthens/strangles).

Act II, Scene Three: The Cemetery

Leporello finds Giovanni in a deserted cemetery, where a statue of the slain Commendatore suddenly addresses Giovanni in tones of impending (boom/gloom/doom). Giovanni orders the frightened Leporello to invite the statue to supper. The Commendatore (jibs/accepts/rejects/denies).

Before going to arrest Giovanni, Ottavio again pleads his love to Anna, but she asks him to postpone their marriage so she may (mourn/moan/mean) her father properly.

Act II, Scene Four: Don Giovanni’s House

In the banquet hall, Leporello serves supper as a stage orchestra provides musical (accompaniment/company/background). Utterly distraught, Elvira enters and begs Giovanni to repent, but he dismisses her contemptuously. As she leaves, she screams in terror — the stone guest has (collapsed/arrived). Leporello hides. The statue speaks: “Don Giovanni, you have invited me to supper.” The statue invites Giovanni to supper in (return/fact/addition), which Giovanni accepts by giving his hand to the statue. The moment the statue seizes his hand, Don Giovanni feels pain and terror, and eventually is dragged down to (heaven/hell). The other principals appear and sing the moral of the story: “As you live, so shall you die”.

6. Read the stories of Don Juan by G. Byron and A. Pushkin, and compare the characters created by these famous authors with the one of Mozat’s tragedy. Give your opinion on reasons for the differences and similarities of the different images of Don Juan.

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