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Don Carlo
Ghiaurov, Freni, and Bumbry were great voices in their time, and they are still effective here -- good enough musicians to put over the quite heavy vocal and expressive demands of their roles. Louis Quilico was never quite in that league, and he sounds a bit spread and woofy in places here, but he works hard and effectively to bring Rodrigo to life. Placido Domingo recorded his first Don Carlo, for EMI with Giulini, about 15 years before this production, but he looks and sounds fine here -- in the early 1980's he was doing very good Otellos and Lohengrins too, and Furlanetto, still in his 30's, brings a rich, young voice to an old part and succeeds in making the Grand Inquisitor vocally as well as expressively formidable. Levine brings both weight and energy to the score, and that reading fits well with the overall "traditional" design and production -- the Met's wardrobe budget must have been severely taxed, but everybody looks splendid.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in 16th-century Spain, Don Carlo is an opera based on the turbulent relationship between King Philip II and his son, Don Carlo. The opera explores themes of political intrigue, forbidden love, and familial conflict as Don Carlo falls for his father's new wife, Elisabeth of Valois. His despair and the machinations of the Grand Inquisitor and Princess Eboli lead to tragic consequences for all involved.
Critical Reception
The 1983 production of Verdi's 'Don Carlo' directed by Peter G. Davies, often recorded and broadcast, is generally well-regarded for its strong vocal performances and faithful interpretation of the opera's dramatic core. While specific critical reviews for this particular staging might be fragmented due to its broadcast nature, productions of 'Don Carlo' itself are consistently praised for their complex characters and powerful musical score.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its ambitious scale and operatic grandeur.
Recognized for strong vocal performances from the lead cast.
Often cited as a significant production of Verdi's masterpiece.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific 1983 production is not readily available. However, Verdi's 'Don Carlo' as an opera is generally beloved by opera enthusiasts for its emotional depth and complex musicality.
Fun Fact
The 1983 production of 'Don Carlo' was part of a larger initiative by BBC to broadcast major opera productions, making high-quality opera more accessible to a wider audience.
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