Don Carlo (Verdi)

Note start time: 1:00 PM

Arrive between 1:00 - 1:15 PM
Opera: 1:15 PM

Directions and parking (http://files.meetup.com/1533013/Club%20Room%2C%20Plaza%20Residences.htm). Lobby entrance is directly opposite the Mecca Restaurant, 131 E. Martin Street.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/7/0/0/event_84862272.jpegItalian version. Historic recording. 1986 at Salzburg.

Cast

Don Carlo (José Carreras)
Rodrigo (Piero Cappuccilli)
Grand Inquisitor (Matti Salminen)
Princess Eboli (Agnes Baltsa)
Philip II (Ferruccio Furlanetto)

Synopsis (http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/stories/synopsis.aspx?id=4).

Herbert von Karajan conducts the Berlin Philharmonic, and the chorus of the Bulgarian National Opera, Sofia.

Originally commissioned by the Paris Opera as a five act work with ballet, the Italian version eliminated Act I and the ballet. Don Carlo had fallen in love with Elizabeth de Valois of France, only later to learn her father has promised her as wife to his own father, King Philip II of Spain, occupier of the Netherlands. Don Carlo and Rodrigo, Marquis di Posa, determine to free the Low Countries.

Princess Eboli is in love with Don Carlo, but swears revenge when she discovers whom he truly loves. Philip II is tyrannical and a fanatical Catholic, under whom the Inquisition and the burning of heretics flourishes. He is very aware he is in a loveless marriage. All in all, quite a potboiler set to Verdi's magnificent music.

Soft drinks, wine, cheese, crackers and fruit will be provided, as usual.

Note I: Philip II was a contemporary of Elizabeth I of England (non-Catholic) and made many attempts to undermine or assassinate her. It was he who dispatched the Spanish Armada, with disastrous results.

Note II: Don Carlo is the Italian form of the name; Don Carlos is Spanish, French, and English. Both are used to refer to this work, or to Italian singers with the name of Carlo(s), i.e Carlo Bergonzi.

In four acts. Run time: 3 hours. Event time: 3h45m

Duet