| The aria "La Ci Darem La Mano" is taken from | | | | Once alone Don Giovanni declares that though |
| Mozart's opera based on Seville's famous seducer | | | | Masetto is a man of gallantry, he is not |
| "Don Juan". It being "Don Juan" who makes it his | | | | appropriate for Zerlina, for she deserves more |
| life's goal to seduce as many ladies as possible | | | | than the mere life of a peasant; as he himself |
| regardless of any factor other than that they be | | | | wishes to take her to wife. This being that which |
| of the opposite gender. It is in the first act of this | | | | captures Zerlina by surprise as she in confusion |
| two act opera that Don Giovanni spots a lovely | | | | repeats his offer to which her seducer confirms |
| peasant girl by the name of Zerlina, whom his | | | | what her ears have taken in by offering his castle |
| taste dictates he must introduce to the acts of | | | | and all that is to be found in it in the ways of joy. |
| sexuality. This in spite of the fact or perhaps | | | | Zerlina for her part is still wondering as to the |
| motivated further by it that she is engaged to be | | | | sincerity of his offer as Don Giovanni begins his |
| married to a man by the name of Masetto. Don | | | | aria of seduction with the words "La Ci Darem La |
| Giovanni however being one who is not deterred | | | | Mano". This meaning "let me take your hand" as |
| by such factors approaches the group in which | | | | he continues by adding that she will say yes. |
| Zerlina finds herself in at the time and offers the | | | | Zerlina still not sure converts this aria in to a duet |
| hospitality of his home so Masetto and her friends | | | | with thoughts expressed as "I want to but I do |
| might take refreshment in his generosity; naturally | | | | not want to, my heart shakes a little, I know I will |
| while he himself keeps Zerlina in the private delight | | | | be happy but I feel sorry for Masetto". Don |
| of his charm. | | | | Giovanni however being of the ways of gentle |
| Masetto however is cautious and mentions that | | | | persuasion continues his seduction by telling her he |
| Zerlina can not remain at a distance from his | | | | will change her lot in life. Zerlina at this point |
| society; only to be told by Leporello that she is in | | | | influenced not only by Don Giovanni's words as |
| the hands of a gentleman who will take over his | | | | well as caress becomes unsure as she claims |
| role of protector of her in the most gallant of | | | | again she wants to but does not want to, only to |
| ways. This precisely what Masetto feared leads | | | | have Don Giovanni repeat he will change her lot |
| him to protest further yet only to be told by Don | | | | as he urges her tenderly to go with him. Zerlina at |
| Giovanni that if she does not leave without | | | | this point no longer feels capable of refusing as |
| further reply; his actions he will repent. It is then | | | | she claims "non sono pui forte" (I am no longer |
| that Masetto accepts Zerlina's decision to remain | | | | strong) and joins Don Giovanni in a common cry |
| in the exclusive company of Don Giovanni and | | | | of "andiam andiam a veri, a ristorar di veri, un |
| declares he has understood how his love for | | | | inocente amor" (let's go and consummate this |
| Zerlina will be his ruin. | | | | innocent love). |