Verdi: Don Carlo
Details
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auto-de-fe
Arrive: 1:00 - 1:15
Herbert von Karajan, Berlin State Opera. 1986. Commissioned by the Paris Opera. Historic recording. Four-act Italian version. 179 minutes. Synopsis (5 acts) (http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/stories/synopsis.aspx?customid=4).
Cast
Don Carlo - José Carreras Princess Eboli - Agnes Baltsa Rodrigo - Piero Cappuccilli Phillip II - Ferruccio Furlanetto Grand Inquisitor - Matti Salminen The Italian version eliminated Act I of the original French version. Act I contained critical information. Carlo and Elizabeth de Valois have met in France and fallen in love. They expect to marry. Back in Spain, he discovers his father, King Phillip II, has promised the king of France to marry Elizabeth, as part of a peace treaty. Princess Eboli (mezzo) believes Carlo to be in love with her.
Note: King Phillip II, a devout Catholic, was a contemporary of Elizabeth I of England and plotted her overthrow for years, culminating in the Spanish Armada. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Spanish Inquisition at its height. The opera includes an auto-de-fe (burning of heretics).
The name Carlo is Italian. Carlos is used in French, English, and Spanish.