Mozart’s Vedrai, Carino ( You’ll See, My Dear) – Track 2

Wolfgang-amadeus-mozart_1
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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.

Don_Giovanni_Playbill_Vienna_Premiere_1788
The Original Poster/Bill For The Premier In Prague, 1787.

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.

Don Giovanni

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 🙂

47 thoughts on “Mozart’s Vedrai, Carino ( You’ll See, My Dear) – Track 2”

  3. 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.

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  8. All things operatic never failed to amaze & thrill me! And I don’t really understand the opera language.I just love the music.Congrats.

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

  12. 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

    Reply

    1. 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

      Reply

    1. 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

      Reply
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