Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Pr�lude & Introduction. Le cerf s'enfuit sous la ramure
2. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. R�cit & romance. Fountainebleau! For�t immense et solitaire!
3. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Je l'ai vue, et dans son sourire
4. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Sc�ne & Duo. Le bruit du cor s'�teint sous l'ombre �paisse
5. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Que faites-vous donc?
6. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. De quels transports poignants
7. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Sc�ne & finale. A celui qui nous vient, Madame
8. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. O chants de f�te et d'all�gresse
9. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 1. Sc�ne & pri�re. Charles Quint, l'auguste empereur
10. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 1. Au couvent de Saint-Just
11. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 1. Sc�ne & duo. Le voil�! C'est l'infant!
12. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 1. Dieu, tu semas dans nos �mes
13. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Ch�ur & sc�ne. Sous ces bois au feuillage immense
14. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Chanson du voile. Au palais des f�es
15. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Sc�ne, terzetto dialogu� & romance. La Reine!
16. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. L'infant Carlos, notre esp�rance
17. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Grande sc�ne & duo. Je viens solliciter de la Reine
18. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. O bien perdu...

Disc 2:

1. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Sc�ne & romance. Le Roi!
2. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. O ma ch�re compagne
3. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Sc�ne & duo. Restez!
4. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. O Roi! J'arrive de Flandres
5. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Votre regard hardi s'est lev� sur mon tr�ne
6. Don Carlo, opera: Act 3. Scene 1. Introduction & ch�ur. Que de fleurs et que d'�toiles
7. Don Carlo, opera: Act 3. Scene 1. Sc�ne, duo & trio. A minuit, aux jardins de la Reine
8. Don Carlo, opera: Act 3. Scene 1. Que dit-il? Il est en d�lire...
9. Don Carlo, opera: Act 3. Scene 1. Et moi qui tremblais devant elle!
10. Don Carlo, opera: Act 3. Scene 2. Grand finale. Ce jour heureux est plein d'all�gresse
11. Don Carlo, opera: Act 3. Scene 2. Sire, il est temps!
12. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Sc�ne & cantabile. Elle ne m'aime pas
13. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Sc�ne. Le Grand Inquisiteur!
14. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Dans ce beau pays

Disc 3:

1. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Sc�ne & quatuor. Justice, Sire!
2. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Maudit soit le soup�on inf�me
3. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Sc�ne & air. Piti�! Pardon pour la femme coupable!
4. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. O don fatal et d�test�
5. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 2. Mort de Rodrigue. C'est moi. Carlos
6. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 2. Oui, Carlos! C'est mon jour supr�me
7. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 2. Carlos, �coute...
8. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 2. Finale. Mon fils, reprenez votre �p�e
9. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 2. Ciel! Le tocsin!
10. Don Carlo, opera: Act 5. Sc�ne & air. Toi qui sus le n�ant des grandeurs de ce monde
11. Don Carlo, opera: Act 5. Duo. C'est elle!
12. Don Carlo, opera: Act 5. Au revoir dans un monde o� la vie est meilleure

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105120 in Music
• Released on: 1997-01-21
• Number of discs: 3
• Original language: French
• Dimensions: .55 pounds

Amazon.com
Don Carlos exists in several versions, in French or Italian (Don Carlo, in five acts or four. This recording (five acts in French) uses the original version composed by Verdi for a premiere at the Paris Opera in 1867. It is longer than the 1883 revision (four acts in Italian), but longer means better when we talk about Verdi's music, and the French prologue gives a more concrete understanding of why Don Carlos loves his stepmother, Queen Elisabetta, with a more than filial affection. There are show-stopping arias and duets galore, a striking scene in which the Inquisition burns a group of Protestants, echoes of revolt in the Spanish Empire, and poignant reflections on lost love. It is an opera whose true greatness is not yet fully appreciated by many Verdi fans, but this eloquent recording should help remedy that. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews

Great Performance, But Not Paris "Original"
There is no denying that this performance is well sung, with better French diction than the Abbado, and that it is effective as drama. But bear66 below is the only reviewer here that gets it right -- this is a composite, NOT the original 1867 version, and the fact that it has been promoted as such is frankly false advertising.

The Prelude and Introduction, cut prior to 1867 is not included. Fair enough. But then in Act II, Posa's account to Carlos of his visit to Flanders is included: Verdi also cut this before the 1867 premiere. The Posa-Philip duet jumps to the 1884 version at the 2/3 mark. The mask changing scene between Elizabeth and Eboli is included, but the ballet is not, strictly contrary to Verdi's expressed intentions. A fragment only of the Elizabeth/Eboli duet, another number cut prior to 1867, is included -- there is no authority that I know of for its inclusion in this form. The "Lacrymosa" ensemble was also cut prior to 1867. The "marziale" section from the final duet is cut, something that was not instituted until the 1872 Naples revision, never for Paris. The ending is also not the Paris version which included a chorus of Inquisitors who try and convict Carlos.

So what do we have? It is not 1867, nor is it the version Verdi completed in 1866 prior to the cuts. It starts as 1867, then reverts to 1866, then jumps ahead to 1884, then back to 1867, further back to 1866, then ahead to 1872 and finally 1884. There are significantly, no liner notes detailing this other than a vague references to "choices" having been made.

The performance is still worth having, particularly since it contains passages not available elsewhere. I simply object to the dishonest way in which this has been presented to the public, particularly those who are less familiar with the history of the opera and take the "Original French Version" claim at face value.

This is what Don Carlos is all about!
Don Carlos has been very lucky on record. It seems that every artist involved with this opera is forced to give his best. There are treasurable recordings conducted by Santini (DG), Giulini (EMI) and Solti (DECCA). When Abbado recorded the original French version in 1984, it was a revelation. The original French is much better than the Italian translation. But unfortunately, in spite of Placido Domingo and Abbado' s superb conducting, the rest of the cast was rather disappointing. Tony Pappano readily shows that he has Verdi in his blood in this, his first Verdi recording. The cast is the finest that could be assembled today. All of the leads give terrific performances and everyone is in good voice. Jose van Dam has been criticized for being too light of voice for Philippe. Nonsense, he sings with warmth and conviction, and should not be accused of not being Ghiaurov or Siepi. Alagna, Mattila and Hampson are fresh voiced and very involved. Waltraut Meier is very erotic and sensuous. This is a very successful affair, and I doubt that a better Don Carlos will come in many years.

An interesting take
A composite of earlier versions, this recording is really a series of snapshots of "Don Carlos" as a work in progress. Those who know the later version(s) well will find some unexpected twists, as parts of the score venture off in completely different directions from what you're used to hearing. This can be disconcerting, but it is also an opportunity to re-examine an old favorite from a new vantage point.