
Vedrai, Carino is sung by the character Zerlina, a peasant girl and the fiancée of Masetto. It is from Act II, scene 1 of the two act Italian opera ‘Don Giovanni’ the music by the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who composed over 600 works, and the libretto was created by the Venetian Lorenzo da Ponte, who wrote the libretto for 28 operas including three of Mozart’s greatest operas, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro and Cosi fan tutte.

The opera ‘Don Giovanni’ premièred in 1787 it was billed as drama giocoso a mixture of serious and comic action.
The main character roles are:
Don Giovanni, a young, promiscuous nobleman; performed by a baritone
Leporello, Don Giovanni’s servant; bass
Il Commendoratore (Don Pedro); bass
Donna Anna, the Commendatore’s daughter, betrothed to Don Ottavio; soprano
Don Ottavio; tenor
Donna Elvira, a lady abandoned by Don Giovanni; soprano
Masetto, a peasant; bass
Zerlina, Masetto’s fiancée; soprano
In a very brief synopsis in the first act during Masetto and Zerlina’s marriage procession Don Giovanni having admired several of the girls in the party is immediately attracted to Zerlina and he tries to remove the jealous Masetto by offering to host the wedding celebrations at his castle, Masetto is forced to leave on a pretext by Leporello and Don Giovanni’s seductive wooing of Zerlina is foiled when Elvira arrives and warns the girl against the rake, Elvira leaves with Zerlina. In a garden outside Don Giovanni’s palace Zerlina tries to pacify Masetto singing Batti, Batti” to him (beat me beat me, handsome Masetto as long as we make up) she manages to persuade her husband of her innocence but just then Don Giovanni from off-stage frightens her, Masetto hides to watch how they are together. Don Giovanni renews his flirtation and tries to take Zerlina aside but goes to the place Masetto is hiding, he recovers quickly and persuades Masetto that Zerlina was just missing him.

Later that evening when all the guests dance Don Giovanni continues his advances to Zerlina, he tries to drag her away, when her screams are heard Don Giovanni tried to blame Leporello but Don Ottavio, Donna Anna and Donna Elvira threaten Don Giovanni and reveal the truth.
In the second Act Don Giovanni (disguised as Leporello) is trying to seduce Elvira’s maid serenading her with his mandolin. Before he can complete his seduction Masetto and his friends arrive searching for Don Giovanni intent on killing him. Don Giovanni still in disguise convinces the gang that he also hates Don Giovanni and joins in the hunt. He then cunningly gets rid of Masetto’s friends and manages to take Masetto’s weapons away, he then beats him and runs off laughing.
The scene is a dark courtyard in front of an Inn, Masetto has been badly bruised and beaten when Zerlina finds him and asks what happened. He explains and Zerlina promises to heal him with her love if he’s good (Vedrai, Carino), lovingly tending his bruises, admonishing him for his jealousy and takes him home to comfort him.
If you want to know what happens to the young, arrogant Don Giovanni who abuses and outrages everyone else in the cast then I don’t want to spoil it for you, you’ll have to go to watch. 🙂
This video was recorded on Valentines Day 2014 in Bury, Lancashire and is also the second track on my album Canzoni D’Amore .
Since recording this video I have done quite a lot of work on understanding and interpreting an aria not only through my vocal performance but also by using acting, gestures and working with a partner. This term in performance practice Nathan Jenkins, a tenor from my year lay down on the floor whilst I sang this aria to him and it helped me to visualise the performance of the scene much better and I hope this will help me to portray the characterisation in future performances.
It is always hard to know exactly how much acting,movement and gesturing to use whilst performing operatic arias in a recital, it is a balance that I am developing as I don’t think that dropping down to my knees and singing this aria would have the same impact in a church recital 🙂
Thanks for the scenario to accompany your lovely rendition of the aria, Charlotte. I really enjoyed this small break from daily life.
Thank you Kathi, hope you have a lovely Christmas back in Canada.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank you Charlotte. Lovely to hear.
Thank you Gerard I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I think that would be fantastic to see guesture along the singing as well. I guess you would need to also be absorbed into the song as well. I think that is also another hard part.
Yes I agree, it’s easier if you’re on stage with fellow cast members, I’ve always enjoyed acting though and I love that opera allows me to be larger than life.
Best wishes
Charlotte
beautiful!
Thank you Annette 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m sure everyone would have understood if you did get down on your knees when you sang this… Standing, sitting or kneeling, you did a great job.
Thank you Trent, I have to leave a bit of something special out so that you all want to come to see me on stage one day 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful singing and a very interesting posting. It would be lovely to see a second version with gestures, etc. Still, what a beautiful voice you have.
If you are accepted on a vocal Masters program in your first year you get to take part in Opera Scenes, just this week on the 4th and 6th December our Master’s students are putting on a varied mixture of opera repertoire it would be lovely to do something like this and have a taped record.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Wow…Giovanni is really “friendly.” Did you wear red because it was Valentine’s Day?
Yes I did well spotted, although I love wearing red anyway 🙂 Giovanni is very, very friendly.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I know…out of all the important matters, I notice the red dress. Guilty.
All things operatic never failed to amaze & thrill me! And I don’t really understand the opera language.I just love the music.Congrats.
That’s good to know Paul it amazes and thrills me too that’s why I love it so much. I’m so happy to share just a few snippets of music.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I went to see Don Giovanni a few years ago sung by the Glyndebourne Touring Company. Absolutely fabulous opera! You sang the aria most beautifully.
Thank you Clare, I have hinted for some more opera DVDs for Christmas so….fingers crossed.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Brava!
Thank you 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
You keep on spoiling us with these lovely songs of yours! Thank you so much.
Thank you Marcus it’s my latest project ensuring I know the section in each opera my songs are performed in and the context. I’m happy to share what I’m learning.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Another fantastic recital Charlotte, and your facial expressions say it all. I couldn’t understand the language but can always tell from your face what the mood is. Love it! X
Thank you for videoing it for me Gill and your lovely message.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thank a lt Charlotte, it’s so delicious to read you !!! The best for you
Merci Pascal, I hope your enjoying your break.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A very beautiful rendition, Charlotte. I have gotten so far behind in my visits and I miss your wonderful singing! <3
Thank you Linda and don’t worry I know how hard it is to keep in touch when your busy, 😊 I appreciate your visits at any time.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Lovely piece, well sung… 🙂 Regards, Iris
Thank you Iris, I thought of you when we had spoken poetry in the Never Forget concert. You create the most lovely verses.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Incredible. So talented. Very beautiful voice and an excellent delivery!!!
Have a great week,
Boyd
Thank you Boyd for your lovely message, just what I need after a difficult day 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a handsome Don Juan. I could fall for him if I were 50 years younger.
My Mums warned me about Don Juans 😀 lol but who can resist gorgeousness.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Listening to this Mozart feels like a good place for your voice at the moment. Look forward to hearing more.
Yes it is, I’ve been working on some interesting song suggestions this year, listening to my vocal coach Kath , and developing my technique. Thanks for leaving me a message I know how busy you must be 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your voice is such an incredible gift. I hope you plan on making it over to the states soon 🙂
I’d love to come over to the States. Thank you I am blessed with something I enjoy doing so much.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Your video and voice was the perfect remedy for this morning ~ just beautiful… Wish you a great weekend!
Thanks Randall, I’ve had a lovely weekend, been practising Christmas songs most of the afternoon feeling very seasonal now 😊
Best wishes
Charlotte
I enjoyed the video! Beautiful song and I love your facial expression it made the song more meaningful! You look beautiful! Perfect dress!
Thank you, when I sent my Grandpa a cd he said he loved my voice but didn’t know many of the songs which is such a shame because they are lovely songs. I’m glad you liked my dress it was a fabulous bargain in a sale from a shop called Monsoon, it’s so comfortable, I usually wear it with a wide black belt.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You sang it beautifully. A song of such tenderness and love. Thank you!
Wow!!!
You sing it, Charlotte!