Don Carlo

The 23rd volume of the Tutto Verdi series offers a rather puny production of one of the grandest of grand operas, a five-act romantic tragedy involving King Philip II of Spain, his wife Elizabeth, and their son Carlos, set against a background of Protestant rebellion and inquisitorial repression. Originally written in 1864–65, Don Carlo is presented here—in a 2012 taping from the Teatro Communale in Modena—in the composer's final version (created some 20 years later), translated into Italian, with the original Fontainebleau opening (which Verdi had omitted in earlier revisions) restored. Musically this is a decent performance, with orchestral playing that is spirited if not always elegant under the baton of Fabrizio Ventura, and singing from the principals (Mario Malagnini as Carlo, Cellia Costea as Elisabetta, and Giacomo Prestia as Filippo) that exhibits commitment and intensity (some of the supporting roles, such as Luciano Montanaro's wobbly Grand Inquisitor, don't come across as well). But visually the production is several sizes too small for such a grandiose piece: although the costumes are opulent, the stark set consists mostly of wooden trestles that resemble gigantic orange crates, to which large candelabras (along with a cardboard tomb in the final scene) are added. With several superior versions of Don Carlo available (see VL-3/06), this one should be of interest only to those collecting the complete Tutto Verdi set. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and PCM stereo, extras include a brief introduction to the opera. Optional. (F. Swietek)