La Scala's Don Carlo

La Scala’s DON CARLO
Giuseppe Verdi | Opera in four acts
Sung in Italian | Running time: 202 minutes, plus two intermissions
From Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy
A rich, nuanced score and a complex, emotional story: Don Carlo is Verdi’s ultimate drama. This
production, captured-live at opening night of La Scala, stars opera greats Ferruccio Furlanetto,
Stuart Neill, Fiorenza Cedolins, and Dolora Zajick.

Total running time: 202 minutes plus two intermissions
CAST
Philip II Ferruccio Furlanetto
Don Carlo Stuart Neill
Rodrigo Dalibor Jenis
The Grand Inquisitor Anatolij Kotscherga
Elisabeth de Valois Fiorenza Cedolins
Princesse Eboli Dolora Zajick
CREATIVE
Conductor Daniele Gatti
Director and Scenic Design Stéphane Braunschweig
Costume Design Thibault van Creanenbroeck
Lighting Design Marion Hewlett
Libretto François-Joseph Mery and Camille Du Locle, Italian translation
by Achille de Lauzières and Angelo Zanardini
Date of performance December 7, 2008
PROGRAM NOTE
Don Carlo is possibly the most intense, deep, nuanced, rich, and masterful work of the mature
Giuseppe Verdi. It is also the Verdi opera that exists in the most number of versions. The version
presented here is the 1884 four-act version that Verdi reduced and changed into Italian from the
original 1867 five-act version in French. The story is based on conflicts in the life of Carlos, Prince
of Asturias, after his betrothed Elisabeth of Valois married his father, Philip II of Spain, as part of
the peace treaty ending the Italian War of 1551-1559 between the Houses of Habsburg and Valois.SYNOPSIS
Act I
Scene 1: The monastery of Saint-Just in Spain: While monks pray for the soul of the Emperor
Charles V, his grandson Don Carlo laments that the woman he loves, Elisabeth, is now married to
his father. Carlo's friend, the Marquis of Posa, enters. He has come from the oppressed land of
Flanders and wants Don Carlo’s help. Meanwhile, King Philip and his new wife, enter to do
homage at Charles V's tomb.
Scene 2: A garden near Saint-Just: Princess Eboli sings about a Moorish King and his neglected
wife. Posa delivers a secret note to Elisabeth from Don Carlo; Meanwhile, Eboli is hopeful that it
is she that Carlo loves. Elisabeth resists Carlo’s declaration because they are now mother and son.
Meanwhile, the King places him trust in Posa.
Act II
Scene 1: the Queen's garden: Don Carlo has a note suggesting a meeting in the garden, which he
thinks is from Elisabeth, but is actually from Eboli, to whom he mistakenly declares his love.
Eboli realizes Carlo thinks she is the Queen; Carlo is horrified that she knows his secret. Eboli
threatens to tell the King that Elisabeth and Carlo are lovers. Carlo prevents Posa from stabbing
her, and Posa and Carlo reaffirm their friendship.
Scene 2: The Cathedral of Valladolid: The people rejoice at the coming coronation of the King
and Queen. Don Carlo brings in Flemish deputies, who plead with the King for their country's
freedom. The King, supported by the monks, orders the deputies' arrest. Carlo draws his sword
against the King, but Posa persuades Carlo to surrender.
Act III
Scene 1: King Philip's study: Alone, the King laments his situation. The Grand Inquisitor arrives.
The King realizes that he is powerless against the Church. When Elisabeth enters, Philip accuses
her of adultery. Eboli confesses that she loved Carlo and he rejected her, but, worse, she has also
been the mistress of the King. She resolves to repent and to try to save Carlo from the Inquisition.
Scene 2: A prison: Don Carlo is imprisoned. Posa tells him he will be saved but that Posa himself
was incriminated. He is content to die if his friend can save Flanders and rule a happier Spain.
Elisabeth, Eboli and the Grand Inquisitor arrive, while a crowd demands Carlo’s release and
threatens the King. In the chaos, Eboli escapes with Carlo.
Act IV
The monastery of Saint-Just: Elisabeth is committed to help Don Carlo on his way to fulfill his
destiny in Flanders, but she herself longs only for death. Carlo appears and they say a final
farewell. Philip and the Grand Inquisitor enter: Carlo, calling on God, draws his sword to defend
himself against the Inquisitor's guards, when, from the tomb of Charles V, the Monk emerges to
lead Carlo away into the safety of the monastery. Philip and the Inquisitor are convinced that it is
Charles V himself.