Amazon.co.uk Review
This is a 1996 all-star-cast version from Paris of the original French version of Verdi's epic five-act opera, Don Carlos. First produced in 1867, only Wagner would write musical drama on a grander scale, and due to the three-and-a-half-hour running time most subsequent productions have made substantial cuts. This is therefore a rare opportunity to witness Verdi's tragedy in its entirety.
Set in the 16th century in the aftermath of war between Spain and France, Don Carlo (Roberto Alagna), the heir to the Spanish throne comes to France to meet with his beloved Elizabeth de Valois (Karita Mattila). Inevitably politics divide the lovers, and while Rodrigue (Thomas Hampson) falls in with Flemish rebels, the Inquisition is determined to be the power behind the peace. This is certainly not Verdi's greatest work, but it contains great music and the stars are allowed to shine with strong characterisations in an elegantly designed production. There are no gimmicks or attempts at spurious contemporary relevance here, simply singers of the calibre of Alagna, Mattila, Hampson, plus the outstanding Eric Halfvarson as the Grand Inquisitor. This is a production that continues in the 19th-century tradition, and in the process delivers the frisson of world-class opera. --Gary S. Dalkin
On the DVD: While the running time precludes much in the way of special features, via DVD-ROM the libretto can be printed in French, together with an article and biographies. The picture is presented at approximately 1.7:1 and while far superior to video could still benefit from anamorphic enhancement. The sound is stereo or excellent Dolby Digital 5.0. The booklet offers a detailed synopsis in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish and there are subtitles in the same languages. The disc is encoded for regions two to six. --Gary S. Dalkin
Customer Reviews:
Beautifully sung.......2008-02-17
This is a lovely production - Alagna and Mattila are really on top form. The staging and lighting is very attractive. But, it is has to be said that this is a very lugubrious opera and sometimes one just has enough of Verdi continuously moaning (musically!) and one just yearns for the infectious delight of Mozart!
Excellent performance with some production shortcomings........2006-04-05
This three and a half hour production of Don Carlos is based on the original Paris production, and is the fullest version of Verdi's frequently revised score.
The stage sets are definitely economy class, but with singing like this they made no impact on my enjoyment. However the costumes are a different matter, King Philip's costume bears reasonable resemblance to the many Velasquez portraits, but did the ladies dress like this in the late sixteenth century? Whatever the answer Elisabeth (Mattila) and Don Carlos (Alagna) seem to be from different centuries, and whenever they sing together the effect is incongruous making their love for each other difficult to believe, Alagna's dark, unkempt hair and designer stubble, Mattila beautiful with immaculate blond coiffeur and looking like a 1930s film star, this is particularly disturbing in the opening Forest of Fontainebleau scene.
However the singing is simply excellent. The cast seem to work best when there is aggression, tension and intrigue in the air, fortunately that is for nearly the entire opera. The catalyst for the internal conflicts is the excellent Philip II of Jose van Dam, who also looks and acts the part. Thomas Hampson is an excellent Rodrique, and Waltraud Meier is fine as the vengeful Eboli. Finally the menacing and bent figure of the Grand Inquisitor (Halvarson) steals all his scenes.
This is far too fine a performance to be penalised for shortcomings in the staging and costumes, so a definite five stars.
A terrible production of a masterpiece.......2005-12-04
This is by far the worse production of Verdi's masterpiece that exists on DVD. The producer Luc Bondi makes a travesti of the entire work. This man must hate opera, there is no other explanation. The sets are poor, irrelevant of very bad taste. Portraying amongst other things, one of the most powerful Kings of Spain, sleeping on a camp bed, with the Queen in the same bed and at the same time singing about how lonely it is to sleep alone in his royal bed, shows clearly that the producer has not even read the story of the opera. I really fail to see how this absolute nonsense merits 5 stars on your reviews.
The ultimate performance of Don Carlos - in original French.......2000-12-18
This, by now, justly famous stage production of Verdi's Don Carlos, uses the original French text of the opera, written for the Paris Opera. The cast, all chosen as much for their looks as their voices (and well-fitting both), act with conviction against simple but effective stage settings. Karita Mattila, the first winner of the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, is radiant as Elisabeth de Valois and Roberto Alagna proves a romantic anti-hero. Jose van Dam, by now a veteran bass sings Philip II with deep conviction even if his voice is now rather drier than some other famous basses who have recorded the part. Thoroughly recommended.
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