Product Description

The original French version in five acts by Ursula Günther, revised after the original version by Ursula Günther and Luciano Petazzoni. Published by Ricordi Milan.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51679 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-16
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Classical, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 213 minutes

Amazon.com
This is a 1996 all-star production 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 because of 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.

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 characterizations in an elegantly designed production. There are no gimmicks or attempts at spurious contemporary relevance here, simply singers of the caliber of Alagna, Mattila, and 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

Customer Reviews

Haunting and Beautiful
At first, this entire production of Verdi's masterpiece may seem a little odd: it's sung in French (not the usual Italian), it's totally uncut, and the scenery, costumes and stage directions are a little bizarre. Yet, it all comes together and not only does it work, but it is utterly amazing and is now THE recording of choice for this masterpiece.
What works here is that the nearly four hour opera is in the left in the hands of a great conductor (the terrific Antonio Pappano) and six terrific singer-actors who actually look the parts. As good as Domingo and Freni sound in the 1983 Met recording, they don't look like young lovers.
Here, we have Roberto Alagna and Karita Mattila as Carlos and Elisabet, respectively. Both look the parts, act the parts and, more importantly feel the parts. One feels the complete range of emotions these two go through. And, most importantly, their voices ring out gloriously, start to finish.
Waltraud Meier takes a little time to warm up (her Veil Song is mediocre), but once she gets going, she is terrific. Her "Don Fatal" is a showstopper here.
Thomas Hampson is a bit of a ham, as usual but his Rodrigue is intense and well sung, particularly his death scene.
The real standout here, though, is Jose Van Dam, as Phillipe. Vocally, he is more of a baritone than a bass and may not have quite the booming voice of a Boris Christoff or Samuel Ramay. But his voice is smooth, luxurious and boy can he act!
As opposed to playing the king as the usual one-dimensional villain, Van Dam portrays the part as that of a tormented, neurotic, aging man, who is slowly losing control of his empire, his family and his life. His Act IV aria, followed by his fiery confrontation with The Grand Inquisitor (the excellent Eric Halvarson)are true highlights, as is a deeply emotional duet with Carlos after the death of Rodrigue which is, sadly, almost always cut from the opera.
Once again, the bare, minimalist sets may startle some viewers at first, but, in the end, it makes sense. Don Carlos, like most Verdi operas, is a story of basic human emotions and relationships set in a dangerous time. There are moments here when one forgets that they are watching an opera, which is usually chock-full of mediocre actors employing constant stock gestures. The whole affair transcends the stage and takes on a cinematic feel. Never before have these basic human emotions of Verdi's masterpiece been played out so beautifully as they are here.

One of the Best Opera DVDs Period
Pappano led an achingly beautiful performance with excellent work from the
orchestra and chorus. I find this to be one of Verdi's most unusual
scores - at times the music is so far different than nearly anything else he
wrote; simultaneously sounding traditional yet remarkably modern. Pappano
brought out all of these elements and his pacing was beautiful, never once
feeling either dragged out or rushed.

I've had ups and downs in my listening experiences with Roberto Alagna, but
here, vocally and dramatically he perfectly captured every nuance, every
strength and every heartbreaking weakness of this character reminding me
throughout of Hamlet. He was in astonishingly beautiful voice, his tone
ringing and with a remarkable sheen. His ability to shade the voice in a
variety colors and dynamics made this an uniquely individual portrayal.

The production is quite simple and effective, placing the emphasis on the
story telling and the music (in my opinion, that's as it should be).

I'm not certain how much rehearsal went into this production by Luc Bondy,
but there was not a false moment throughout this opera's considerable
length. Every detail, every movement flows with a rare and natural ease.
In Gilles Aillaud's sets, Moidele Bickel's costumes and Vincio Cheli's
beautiful lighting, every frame looks like a Murillo or El Greco masterpiece
come to life. Two particularly arresting images stand out in the St. Just
scene; the first, just before the the entrance of Philip and Elisabeth -
Carlos accepts Posa's request to return with him to Flanders, as Carlos
kneels, Posa rests his head Carlos's shoulder. The second such moment
follows the King and Queen's procession; Carlos extends his right arm out
towards the now offstage couple as Posa grabs his other arm preventing his
friend from following; creating a canvas of tortured angles: all arms,
necks, heads, legs, backs, walls and shadows - all transformed into a tragic
study of pain and rejected comfort.

The Fontainebleau scene is remarkable. In this barren forest of white trees
Carlos and Elisabeth in their deep crimson costumes become as a single heart
beating in a forest of death. Karita Mattila brings a certain dramatic
quality that I've not encountered before in this role - at first coltish,
almost tom-boyish, when Carlos lights the fire in the woods. Then, as he
mentions that she will marry the son of Philip, she becomes girlish,
nervous. In just these few moments she's already established a bewitching
character. In the manner of a true princess, this Elisabeth appears to be
slightly vague about herself, but it is clear she is smitten and flirts with
Carlos. Her outward strength, however, is just that - a facade - for too
soon it becomes obvious that this is a girl raised at court who knows full
well that she is but a pawn and will play the part she's given. At the
horrible news that she is to marry Philip instead of Carlos , they are both
crushed as the chorus, in ghostly white, enters singing her praises. As
they lift her into the air and place her on a white horse to be led away,
she knows she is not only leaving behind home but any dream of happiness.
All turn their backs to Carlos who alone falls onto a rock, destroyed
"Destiny has shattered my dreams." Having seen this scene so beautifully
staged, I simply can't imagine its being left out of any production again.

Throughout this production the electricity between all of the characters is
stunning, and the physicality of the scene between Carlos and Elisabeth
outside of the convent takes on a desperate violent quality that is, to say
the least, startling.

As Rodrigue, Thomas Hampson gives what has to be one of his best
performances. Combining humility, loyalty, compassion, pride and a sense of
justice, his Posa is remarkably complex, and by far one of the most
interesting good guys in all of Verdi. The voice is never big, but rich,
well controlled and his sense of phrasing and attention to detail nothing
short of remarkable. He also has a wicked good trill. At times, especially
in his big scene with Philip, Hampson's voice seems to take on a tenorial
quality - a remarkably lyrical Rodrigue, but with a sure sense of strength
of purpose.

And, ah that Philip. Mr. Van Dam is a marvel; firm of tone, every word
distinct and filled with meaning. The role, while at times a little low
lying for him, fits like a glove. I have always want to hate Philip, but in
this production he seems more pathetic, more a pawn of the Inquisitor, than
I've experienced before. Van Dam pulls off this vulnerability without once
sacrificing the strength of his character. Very interesting
characterization.

Waltraut Meier couldn't have been anybody's idea of an ideal Eboli, yet, she
inhabits the character so fully turns in a magnificent performance, and
looks damned stunning in doing so. Her vocalism in the Veil Song was kind
of bizarre - it had a "warble" like quality that made it difficult to tell
just what pitch she was actually on, yet she was beguiling and pulled it
off. Once that was out of the way, everything else came from strength. I
do wish that this mezzo would cultivate some chest voice. Her low notes
seem to be her weakest and they sound exactly (except nearly inaudible) as
her middle voice.

Mattila is just a wonder. The voice is capable of so many colors while
retaining a unifying, very individual sound. It is a tough voice to place
into any specific category: it's capable of riding the orchestra and cutting
through it with laser like clarity, yet it retains a sweetness most unusual
to the typically "steely" type of voice that I often associate with
accomplishing that type of singing. Her sustained high piano singing is
nothing short of miraculous, she takes a thin thread of sound that is
perfectly placed and as clean as I could ever imagine (e.g., her farewell to
her exiled lady in waiting), other times she produces an effect that sounds
just as silk gauze feels (reminding Carlos she is now his mother) - it's all
piano, but she sings these moments entirely different from each other.
Remarkable. Every movement, every gesture came directly from her Elisabeth
and went straight into my heart.

With the least amount of stage time, Eric Halfvarson's twisted, crippled
Grand Inquisitor truly becomes a dominant central figure and the very
physical embodiment of evil as he sets a tale of corruption, politics and
religion already near chaos and spins it completely out of control.

I have so much positive to say about this production that I feel I could
write a book on it (don't worry). Nearly every moment in this long work is
filled with heartbreaking magic and beauty, Posa's death scene perhaps
taking place of honour. The Chatelet audience responded with a thunderous
and extended ovation. I wish I'd been there.

The Finest Opera on Video
I've seen this one in the original Laserdiscs with Japanese subtitles. I've seen it on VHS. Now finally, DVD. I can't wait.

One of the very great performances of Verdi's finest. Karita Mattila has to be seen and heard to be believed. Gorgeous lady, touching actress. Eric Halfvarson as the Grand Inquisitor will give you nightmares. I once saw the great Hans Hotter do the role. Eric is in his league. Waltraud Meyer, once past a rocky Veil Song, is superb. (Somehow nobody but Marilyn Horne could ever do the Veil Song, and O don fatale was beyond her) Jose van Dam will not make you forget Boris Christoff or Cesare Siepi but is fine, just fine as Philippe.

A younger Alagna is finally in his perfect role. He and Thomas Hampson play off each other in a way Verdi may not have intended but probably would approve. To be blunt, Rodrigo has the hots for Carlo. Carlo is merely dependent. But Flanders be damned.
Fascinating.

Special touch to watch for: at the very end of the Queen's and Carlo's farewell, she just touches a curl on the back of his head. That sums up a doomed relationship perfectly.