The Teatro alla Scala has announced a cast change for its production of “Don Carlo.” The company noted that Michele Pertusi will replace René Pape in the role of Filippo II. Pertusi recently sang Don Carlo in Modena and Piacenza. He also opened the Teatro San Carlo’s 2022-23 season in a new production of the opera. This season he is set {…}
(Photo: Kristaps Kains, Latvian National Opera) Latvia National Opera’s production of Verdi’s “Don Carlo” was musically and visually excellent, but the director Claus Guth’s underlying concept was not, at least initially, easy to grasp, despite his clearly written program notes. His underlying idea is that it is Carlo’s energy, values and behavior set against a despotic society, in which faceless {…}
(Credit: Shirley Suarez) The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced that John Relyea will take over the role of King Philipp in its upcoming production of “Don Carlo.” The company announced the news days after Ildar Abdrazakov withdrew for personal reasons. In a statement the bass said “I needed to take a break from my schedule and cancel all July shows. Thank {…}
Opera, especially Grand Opera, has always had a predilection for throwing up stories that test the boundaries of credibility and border on indelicacy, and Verdi operas frequently bask in both. “Don Carlo,” one of Verdi’s later works although arguably written whilst in his prime, is a truly convoluted tale, mostly fictional although involving true historical figures, that involves conflict, war, {…}
The Teatro ala Scala has announced that it will open its 2023-24 season with a production of “Don Carlo.” The news comes a few days after the legendary theater opened its 2022-23 season with “Boris Godunov” in the midst of protests. According to maestro Riccardo Chailly, the connection between “Boris Godunov” and “Don Carlo” was that Mussorgsky was listening to {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) Russell Thomas has canceled the final performance of “Don Carlo” at the Metropolitan Opera on Dec. 3. As the result, the company has announced that Rafael Dávila will sing the title role. This is the third time that Dávila takes the stage in this production. He also replaced Thomas on Nov. 7, 2022 and Nov. 30, 2022. {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera) Rafael Dávila is set to take the stage for Verdi’s “Don Carlo” at the Metropolitan Opera for the performance on Nov. 30, 2022. The company made the announcement via social media. He will take over for tenor Russell Thomas. This is the second time that Dávila takes the stage in this production. He also replaced Thomas {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced a cast change for the Nov. 7 performance of “Don Carlo.” The company said, “the role of Don Carlo will be sung by Rafael Davila replacing Russell Thomas.” Davila made his Met debut as Don Jose in “Carmen” in 2017. This season he performed the role of Giasone in “Medea” in one performance. The Puerto {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard / Met Opera) ***This review was written in collaboration with David Salazar*** But before we get to the opera, let’s kick things off by addressing the elephant in the room. Last season, the Met Opera opened this very opera with a potent political act – the performance of the Ukrainian national anthem. In a time of war {…}
Russell Thomas is one of today’s great Verdi tenors. He has performed all over the world in some of the composer’s most difficult roles, garnering great acclaim. This week he returns to the Metropolitan Opera for his first headliner. Thomas made his debut at the Met in 2005 as the Heralder in “Don Carlo” and has since performed supporting roles {…}
(Credit: © Tessa Traeger) On Sept. 26, Carlo Rizzi opened the Metropolitan Opera for the third time in his career. However, that experience was unique because he was conducting “Medea” for the time ever. And it’s just the first of three works at the Met this season. A few days after the opening, the conductor returned to the podium to {…}