Chapter 31: Making It Real: Mozart and Classical Opera
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. During the Classical era, the prevalent form of opera, which contained many recitatives and arias
designed to display virtuosity, was called:
a. opera seria. c. opéra comique.
b. opera buffa. d. Singspiel.
2. Which of the following are characteristic of opera seria?
a. plots drawn from classical antiquity
b. virtuoso display by soloists
c. highly formalized presentation
d. all of the answers shown here
3. How did opera buffa differ from opera seria?
a. It was sung in the vernacular.
b. It presented down–to-earth plots.
c. It featured ensemble as well as solo singing.
d. all of the answers shown here
4. Which of the following opera types sought to reflect simplicity and real human emotions?
a. opera seria c. tragic opera
b. opera buffa d. serious opera
5. Mozart’s librettist for Don Giovanni was:
a. Count Almaviva.
b. Lorenzo da Ponte.
c. Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais.
d. Pietro Metastasio.
6. Which of the following descriptions best characterizes Don Giovanni?
a. It is a tragedy.
b. It presents a Greek myth.
c. It mixes elements of opera seria and opera buffa.
d. It is a sacred drama with religious overtones.
7. During the aria “Ah, chi mi dice mai,” Don Giovanni attempts to console Donna Elvira, who has
been betrayed by:
a. Leporello. c. Don Giovanni himself.
b. Don Ottavio. d. the Commendatore.
8. The tone of the Catalogue Aria from Mozart’s Don Giovanni is:
a. tragic. c. romantic.
b. sentimental. d. comic.
9. The Catalogue Aria from Mozart’s Don Giovanni lists Don Giovanni’s:
a. conquests. c. future goals.
b. enemies. d. debts.
10. The English translation for opera seria is:
a. serious opera. c. serial opera.
b. comic opera. d. simple opera.
11. Don Giovanni recounts the tale of:
a. an amoral womanizer.
b. a hapless fool seeking true love.
c. a wondering priest.
d. a knight returning home from the Crusades.
12. Donna Anna’s father is:
a. Don Giovanni. c. the Commendatore.
b. Leporello. d. Lorenzo da Ponte.
TRUE/FALSE
1. Comic opera generally was sung in the vernacular, or the language of the audience.
2. In contrast to opera seria, new opera types were developed that featured naturalness and
simplicity.
3. Opera buffa was typically serious in tone, with plots dealing with historical or legendary figures.
4. Mozart’s Don Giovanni is a comic opera about a legendary lover.
5. Mozart’s Don Giovanni is a mixture of opera buffa and opera seria.
6. Don Giovanni is Mozart’s only major opera.
7. The plot for Mozart’s Don Giovanni recounts the biography of Giacomo Casanova.
8. Opera seria contains many recitatives and arias designed to display virtuosity.
9. Opera buffa was only popular in Italy.
10. Mozart wrote both the music and libretto for Don Giovanni.
ESSAY
1. Describe the differences between opera seria and opera buffa.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 167–168
TOP: Classical Opera MSC: Applied
2. Discuss how Mozart mixes elements of serious and comic opera in Don Giovanni.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 1 REF: Essentials: pp. 168–169
TOP: Mozart Opera MSC: Conceptual
3. Discuss how Mozart’s Don Giovanni provides commentary about social unfairness and the rights
of individuals.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 3 REF: Essentials: pp. 168–169
TOP: Mozart Opera MSC: Conceptual