Verdi 200: Don Carlo Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes First broadcast: Monday 07 October 2013 Part of Radio 3's Verdi 200 celebrations, Andrew McGregor presents a performance of Verdi's opera Don Carlo recorded at the Royal Opera House conducted by Antonio Pappano, starring Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros
Don Carlos ..... Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) Elisabeth ..... Anja Harteros (soprano) Princess Eboli ..... Béatrice Uria-Monzon (mezzo-soprano) Rodrigo ..... Mariusz Kwiecien (baritone) Philippe II ..... Ferruccio Furlanetto (bass) Grand Inquisitor ..... Eric Halfvarson (bass) Charles V ..... Robert Lloyd (bass) Count of Lerma ..... Pablo Bemsch (tenor) Tebaldo ..... Dusica Bijelic (soprano)
Royal Opera Chorus Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Conducted by Antonio Pappano
This historical drama is based on Friedrich von Schiller's play 'Don Carlos, Infant of Spain' and is performed here in the five-act Italian version. Don Carlo, Prince of Asturias - sung by tenor Jonas Kaufmann, is the Spanish heir to the throne but in order to secure a peace treaty he has to see his betrothed lady, Elisabeth de Valois, soprano Anja Harteros, marry his own father, King Philip II. The opera is full of dramatic elements in addition to this love triangle, including the sacrifice of a deep friendship, mistaken identities, and a huge struggle between church and state. The power of Verdi's music is spell-binding and is perhaps at its most intense during the famous confrontation in Act IV between the King - sung here by bass Ferruccio Furlanetto - and the Grand Inquisitor, the bass Eric Halfvarson. Antonio Pappano conducts a marvellous cast, with the Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, in a performance one critic called 'an evening of pure vocal pleasure.'. SHOW LESS
Add "Opera on 3, Verdi 200: Don Carlo" to FavouritesAdd to Favourites Share Facebook Twitter QR code Music Played 2 items Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes 00:00 Image for Giuseppe Verdi Giuseppe Verdi Verdi: Don Carlo Singer: Anja Harteros. Singer: Jonas Kaufmann. Add "Giuseppe Verdi || Verdi: Don Carlo" to PlaylisterAdd 01:51 Image for Giuseppe Verdi Giuseppe Verdi Opera on 3: Don Carlo Part 2 (of 2) Singer: Jonas Kaufmann. Add "Giuseppe Verdi || Opera on 3: Don Carlo Part 2 (of 2)" to PlaylisterAdd Synopsis The opera is set in France and Spain in the second half of the 16th century. As the opera opens, a peace treaty between the two countries is to be sealed by the marriage of the Princess Elizabeth of Valois, daughter of Henry II , and Don Carlos, son of Philip II and heir to the Spanish throne. Act I The forest of Fontainebleau Against the wishes of his father King Philip II, Carlos has travelled incognito to France as a member of the Spanish Ambassador’s entourage. He has seen his intended bride Elizabeth, and fallen in love with her on sight. Elizabeth and her page Tebaldo have been hunting and have become lost in the forest; Carlos, as yet unknown to the princess, offers to escort her. She is apprehensive over her marriage to a stranger, but Carlos reassures her that her future husband will certainly love her.
He gives her a miniature portrait of King Philip II’s son, and so reveals that he is the man she is to marry. It is clear to them both that their feelings of love are mutual. Their happiness ends with the news that the treaty arrangements have been altered: Henry II now intends to marry his daughter to King Philip himself. To ensure peace between France and Spain, Elizabeth consents. While all around them rejoice, Elizabeth and Carlos are devastated. Act II Part 1: The cloister of the San Yuste Monastery Carlos is distraught at losing Elizabeth and seeks peace at the monastery to which his grandfather, the former Emperor Carlos V, retired from the world before he died. Carlos is con