Name: Don Carlo (Italian version)
Start: 2008-06-06T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2008-07-03T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Royal Opera House

Organization

Singer

Tenor

Rolando Villazón

Don Carlo

Soprano

Marina Poplavskaya

Elisabeth of Valois

Baritone

Simon Keenlyside

Rodrigo

Bass

Ferruccio Furlanetto

Philip II

Mezzo-soprano

Sonia Ganassi

Princess Eboli

Pumeza Matshikiza

Thibault

Nikola Matisic

The Count of Lerma

Eric Halfvarson

The Grand Inquisitor

Robert Lloyd

A Monk

Anita Watson

A Voice from Heaven

Conductor

Antonio Pappano

Stage director

Nicholas Hytner

Set designer

Bob Crowley

Costume designer

Lighting designer

Mark Henderson

Jacques Imbrailo

Royal Herald

Krzysztof Szumanski

Kostas Smoriginas

Daniel Grice

Darren Jeffery

Vuyani Mlinde

Dimitris Tiliakos

Royal Opera House

Orchestra

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Others

Chorus of the Royal Opera House

Don Carlo (Italian version)

London

United Kingdom

Internationally acclaimed Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón in his break-out role as Don Carlos at London's Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

The year is 1559. A peace treaty between France and Spain is on the point of being signed, arranging marriage between Princess Elizabeth of Valois, daughter of Henry II, and Don Carlos, son of Philipp II and heir to the Spanish throne. When Don Carlos (Rolando Villazón) and Elizabeth meet, they immediately fall in love despite fears about marrying a stranger. Unfortunately, their happiness is short-lived: the treaty is renegotiated, and Henry II will marry his daughter to King Philip II himself. To ensure peace between France and Spain, Elizabeth consents, leaving Carlos devastated.

As ever in Verdi's masterpieces, Don Carlo's story has its roots in the political and religious history of Europe. Like in a Racinian tragedy, the lovers' paths are determined by a political reality far more powerful than themselves.

Don Carlo Verdi

Public

Approved

Production booklet

Further reading