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Verdi: Don Carlo
Verdi: Don Carlo

Ileana Cotrubas (Elisabetta di Valois); Patricia Parker (Tebaldo); Romayne Grigorova (Countess of Aremburg); Luis Lima (Don Carlo); John Dobson (Count Lerma); Matthew Best (A Monk); Giorgio Zancanaro (Rodrigo); Robert Lloyd (Philip II); Bruna Baglioni (Princess Eboli)

Verdi was commissioned by the Paris Opera to write Don Carlo to a French libretto. The source material was a dramatic play by Schiller and the work premiered as a five-act grand opera in March 1867 under the title Don Carlos. Set in the 16th century, its subject is Carlo, the son of Spain’s King Phillip II, and his love for Elizabetta, whom Philip later marries. The nature of the crises and conflicts Carlo faces, personal and political, drive the drama with unremitting intensity.

In 1958 the celebrated director Luchino Visconti was invited by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to stage his first opera outside Italy. The choice was the five-act Italian-language Don Carlo and the spectacular production was pivotal in establishing this version as a repertoire piece. In 1985 the Royal Opera House once again presented its Visconti production with Bernard Haitink memorably directing a superb cast that includes Ileana Cotrubas at the height of her powers and Luis Lima, unequalled in his tortured introspection, in the title role.

DVD

Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/05/2022
Sound Formats: Dolby Digital 2.0
Ratio: 4:3
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, PO, JP
Catalogue Number: OA1340D
Conductor(s):
Bernard Haitink
Orchestra(s):
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus
Artist(s):
Ileana Cotrubas; Patricia Parker; Romayne Grigorova; Luis Lima; John Dobson; Matthew Best; Giorgio Zancanaro; Robert Lloyd; Bruna Baglioni; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus; Bernard Haitink
"...one of The Royal Opera's finest achievements" (The Financial Times)

"The cast could hardly be bettered ... this is a version that can be whole-heartedly recommended – and not for nostalgic reasons only." (Musicweb International)

"The cast in this 1985 revival match the occasion, with Ileana Cotrubas as Elisabetta. The great Romanian soprano was nearing the end of her career but still on top form, the voice a little rounder as she tackled this and other heavier dramatic roles for the first time." (British Theatre Guide)

"It's an overall rewarding performance of the 'traditional' five-act Italian edition...There are exquisite moments in which the orchestral playing really shines, among them the prelude to Philip's great study scene in Act 4." (Gramophone)

"Bernard Haitink’s conducting draws out the sombre palette of Verdi’s orchestration and the cast is strong. I had forgotten how good Luis Lima could be, and in the title role he looks and sounds very handsome indeed… Ileana Cotrubas was a house favourite, and her Elisabetta is high on plangency" (Opera Now ★★★★)

Ileana Cotrubas (Elisabetta di Valois); Patricia Parker (Tebaldo); Romayne Grigorova (Countess of Aremburg); Luis Lima (Don Carlo); John Dobson (Count Lerma); Matthew Best (A Monk); Giorgio Zancanaro (Rodrigo); Robert Lloyd (Philip II); Bruna Baglioni (Princess Eboli)

Verdi was commissioned by the Paris Opera to write Don Carlo to a French libretto. The source material was a dramatic play by Schiller and the work premiered as a five-act grand opera in March 1867 under the title Don Carlos. Set in the 16th century, its subject is Carlo, the son of Spain’s King Phillip II, and his love for Elizabetta, whom Philip later marries. The nature of the crises and conflicts Carlo faces, personal and political, drive the drama with unremitting intensity.

In 1958 the celebrated director Luchino Visconti was invited by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to stage his first opera outside Italy. The choice was the five-act Italian-language Don Carlo and the spectacular production was pivotal in establishing this version as a repertoire piece. In 1985 the Royal Opera House once again presented its Visconti production with Bernard Haitink memorably directing a superb cast that includes Ileana Cotrubas at the height of her powers and Luis Lima, unequalled in his tortured introspection, in the title role.

DVD

Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/05/2022
Sound Formats: Dolby Digital 2.0
Ratio: 4:3
Subtitles: EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, PO, JP
Catalogue Number: OA1340D

Conductor(s):
Bernard Haitink
Orchestra(s):
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus
Artist(s):
Ileana Cotrubas; Patricia Parker; Romayne Grigorova; Luis Lima; John Dobson; Matthew Best; Giorgio Zancanaro; Robert Lloyd; Bruna Baglioni; The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Royal Opera Chorus; Bernard Haitink

"...one of The Royal Opera's finest achievements" (The Financial Times)

"The cast could hardly be bettered ... this is a version that can be whole-heartedly recommended – and not for nostalgic reasons only." (Musicweb International)

"The cast in this 1985 revival match the occasion, with Ileana Cotrubas as Elisabetta. The great Romanian soprano was nearing the end of her career but still on top form, the voice a little rounder as she tackled this and other heavier dramatic roles for the first time." (British Theatre Guide)

"It's an overall rewarding performance of the 'traditional' five-act Italian edition...There are exquisite moments in which the orchestral playing really shines, among them the prelude to Philip's great study scene in Act 4." (Gramophone)

"Bernard Haitink’s conducting draws out the sombre palette of Verdi’s orchestration and the cast is strong. I had forgotten how good Luis Lima could be, and in the title role he looks and sounds very handsome indeed… Ileana Cotrubas was a house favourite, and her Elisabetta is high on plangency" (Opera Now ★★★★)