Verdi: Don Carlo

Giuseppe Verdi's five act grand opera Don Carlo has a French libretto by Joseph Méry and Camille du Locle, but is usually performed in an Italian translation. The libretto is based on Friedrich Schiller's play Don Carlos, Infant von Spanien, and the story is set in France and Spain during the late Renaissance.

The opera received its first performance at the Salle Le Peletier in Paris on 11 March 1867. It exists in a number of different versions, with various cuts and additions, and no other Verdi opera has so many different versions. At full length it is Verdi's longest opera.

 

A selection of articles about Verdi: Don Carlo

Ensemble. Don Carlo in the Mists - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Florence for a performance of Verdi's most complex and monumental opera

Ensemble. Teatro dell'Opera di Roma Re-opens - Giuseppe Pennisi was in a box for the opening night

Ensemble. A Timeless Staging - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Bologna for a very political 'Don Carlo'

CD Spotlight. Hypnotic Beauty - Giuseppe Verdi's 'Don Carlo', heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a performance full of dramatic passion and unbridled commitment that keeps the tension at fever-pitch throughout.'

Ensemble. Visions of Human Suffering - Lyric Verdi, and a great success, but in some ways a 'Don Carlo' of losers at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, impresses Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Born Again - Giuseppe Pennisi visits the revitalised Verdi Festival in Parma for 'Don Carlo'

Ensemble. Musically Exceptional - San Francisco's starry Don Carlo, seen by James Sohre

Ensemble. New Directions - Giuseppe Pennisi reports on Mozart, Verdi and Wagner operas from Salzburg's summer festival

Ensemble. Troubles in Florence - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Ensemble. A Complex Plot - Giuseppe Pennisi was at the opening night of Verdi's 'Don Carlo' in Turin

DVD Spotlight. Dramatic Truth - Giuseppe Verdi's 'Don Carlo', reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... a strong candidate for the library shelves.'

Ensemble. Sheer Brilliance - Rossini's 'William Tell', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Intense Confrontation - Verdi's 'Ernani' - more revolutionary than patriotic, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. To Suit the Voice - Gregory Moomjy takes a sneak peek at the divas and divos of tomorrow, as heard at New York Metropolitan Opera's National Council auditions

Ensemble. Stunning Artistry - New York Metropolitan Opera's Verdi's 'Don Carlo' transmission, seen and heard by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Great Vitality - Verdi's 'Don Carlo', heard by Robert Hugill

Profile. Important Skills - Maria Nockin talks to American mezzo Dolora Zajick

Ensemble. Truly Memorable - A concert of arias at Arizona Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Deeply Felt - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

A Real Find - Robert Davies made a remarkable impact when he stood in as Papageno late in the run of English Touring Opera's 'The Magic Flute'; Roderic Dunnett profiles him and celebrates the progress of other ETO cast members

Ensemble. A Compelling Portrait - Verdi's 'Don Carlos' impresses Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Rare Treat - Verdi's 'Aida' from Prescott, reviewed by Susan Hampton

Ensemble. Thoroughly Enjoyable - An Arizona winter treat of Verdi's 'Aida', enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Highly Intelligent - Verdi's 'Don Carlo', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Musically Thrilling - 'Maria Stuarda' at San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Sumptuous Display - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at LA Opera, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Important Revelations - A gala concert presented by Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. A Must See - Maria Nockin was at Opera Pacific for Verdi's 'Aïda'

DVD Spotlight. Original groupings - Verdi's 'Don Carlo', reviewed by Robert Anderson. 'The chief glory ... is Zeffirelli's staging.'

Ensemble. Verging on London standards - Roderic Dunnett visits Dorset and Stowe Opera for productions of 'Norma' and 'Don Carlo'

Ensemble. A much loved conductor - Bernard Haitink's Farewell Concert at London's Royal Opera, as experienced by Robert Anderson

Hans Hotter in Munich - an occasional addendum to last year's 'Captivating moments', with Juliet Averay