National Theatre director Nicholas Hytner’s new staging of Verdi’s grandest – and arguably greatest – opera, Don Carlo, was the highlight of the 2007/2008 Royal Opera House season. This new production marked Rolando Villazón’s much anticipated, triumphant return to the house.

Don Carlo is Verdi’s musical retelling of Schiller’s poem Don Carlos. Set amidst the political, religious and sexual intrigue of the 16th century Spanish court, this epic work is the tragic story of the virtuous young prince, Don Carlo when he is pitted against the powers of a dominant, corrupt society.

The Italian version premiered at Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 10th January, 1884, following the French premiere (Don Carlos) in 1867, at the Paris Opera. It was first staged at The Royal Opera House in 1886. This new production is the first new version of the 5-Act complete opera to be staged at Covent Garden in 50 years. With sets and costumes by Bob Crowley, direction by Nicholas Hytner and an enviable cast, this production of Don Carlo is worthy of the greatness of Verdi’s original, masterful work.
 
“Supported by designer Bob Crowley's dazzling coups de thêatre, and by Antonio Pappano's band in scintillating form, he directs with such vivid forcefulness – and such psychological acuity – that Verdi's great rumination on theocracy, and on the battle between patriarchy and the brotherhood of man, emerges in its full beauty and menace…Ferruccio Furlanetto's King Philip, a commanding presence conveying as much by his stillness as by his gloriously resonant voice…This full five-act version is a long evening, but time flies thanks to transcendent performances by Poplavskaya and Villazón, and to the beauty emanating from the pit”. - The Independent

“Villazon's stirring, beautiful sound caught one's breath, and he acted with gripping intensity. Poplavskaya revealed a powerful voice which mixed fire and ice in equal measure. In the pit, Antonio Pappano was in top form. There was thrilled applause.” – Bloomberg

“As Posa, Simon Keenlyside gave a world-class performance; human, honest and noble. Ferruccio Furlanetto’s brittle Filippo and Eric Halfvarson’s terrifying Grand Inquisitor each exuded such gravitas of presence that their confrontation was truly gripping”. – OperaToday

Cast:
- Rolando Villazón: Don Carlo
- Marina Poplavskaya: Elisabetta di Valois
- Simon Keenlyside: Rodrigo
- Ferruccio Furlanetto: Philip II
- Sonia Ganassi: Princess Eboli
- Pumeza Matshikiza: Tebaldo
- Nikola Matišic: Conte di Lerma
- Eric Halfvarson: Grand Inquisitor
- Robert Lloyd: Monk
- Anita Watson: Voice from Heaven

Live from the Royal Opera House.