Verdi: Don Carlo

Don Carlo has an unusual place in Verdi’s canon: it is one of his greatest operas, yet one of the least performed. Originally written in French as Don Carlos for the Paris Opéra in 1867, it is more often heard today translated back into Italian, as in this exciting performance recorded live in Vienna on October 25, 1970. Verdi believed almost fanatically in the merit of the work, and his tinkering with it extended over a period of twenty years. Don Carlo is a work of overwhelming musical and dramatic impact when produced as on this 3-CD set, and once digested often becomes a favorite with anyone with a taste for Verdi. This is one of the most spectacular casts ever assembled on one stage for Don Carlo. Nicolai Ghiaurov was the leading bass of his era, Franco Corelli the most exciting Verdi tenor, and then-mezzo Shirley Verrett at the peak of her career; Verrett has remained for most opera fans the Princess Eboli on disc—a thrillingly dramatic portrayal “Franco Corelli never recorded the role of Carlos commercially so this is instantly valuable; and indeed the tenor is in magnificent voice—pungent, emotionally forward, thrilling … Eberhard Wächter is surprisingly Italianate as Posa and Shirley Verrett almost walks away with the whole show with her fiery Eboli. Nicolai Ghiaurov is at his grandest as poor Philip II, and his scene with the terrifying Grand Inquisitor of Martti Talvela will take your breath away.” — CLASSICSTODAY