Don Carlos

GIUSEPPE VERDI

Premiered in French at the Paris Opera (“the big shop,” as Verdi called it), Don Carlos conquered the world in its Italian version. It is one of Verdi’s major operas. Based on a play by Schiller, the story is richly layered, the characters compelling and complex, while the music reaches heights of inspiration.

The duet in which Don Carlos and the Marquis of Posa swear eternal friendship is admirable. As is Philip II’s great monologue, in which he reflects on his solitude. Not forgetting Eboli’s “O don fatale,” Elisabetta’s great aria and the scenes with the Grand Inquisitor, of intense dramatic power.

For Don Carlos is not merely a love story, but also a political opera about the relationship between religion and power. We look forward to hearing what dimension Michele Spotti will bring to the work.

OPERA IN 4 ACTS - MILAN VERSION Libretto by Joseph MÉRY and Camille du LOCLE, based on Friedrich von Schiller’s tragic poem Don Carlos, Infant von Spanien First performed in Milan, Teatro alla Scala, on January 10, 1884 Last performed at the Marseille Opera on June 11, 2022

Production: Marseille Opera

Musical direction: Michele SPOTTI Stage direction: Charles ROUBAUD Costumes: Katia DUFLOT Set design: Emmanuelle FAVRE Lighting: Marc DELAMÉZIÈRE

Elisabeth: Nino MACHAIDZE Princess Eboli: Marion LEBÈGUE Thibault: Laurence JANOT A Voice from Heaven: Julia KNECHT

Don Carlo: Enea SCALA Philip II: Simon LIM The Marquis of Posa: Ernesto PETTI The Grand Inquisitor: Roberto SCANDIUZZI A Monk: Alexandre BALDO The Count of Lerma: Jean MIANNAY The Flemish Deputies: Loïc BASILLE, Jean-Marie DELPAS, Thomas DEAR, Jonathan PILATE and Gilen GOICOECHEA

Orchestra and Chorus of the Marseille Opera

Vibrating vest system for the Sunday, March 7 performance - by reservation