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Act 1, Scene 16: Batti batti: Zerlina's aria

There’s a child-like innocence to this aria: the melodic line flows in such a simple way - it suggests Zerlina is from humbler roots, and what she’s saying is quite sincere. However, the cello accompaniment underneath is a bit suspicious: although Zerlina’s words beg for forgiveness, the twisting, turning cello line discloses that what she’s actually doing - is wrapping us round her little finger. This country girl is not as innocent as her appearance might suggest!

Extract from Glyndebourne's adaptation of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Analysis by Paul Rissmann.

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2 minutes

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