Title: “Revival of Verdi’s ‘Don Carlo’ Showcases Rich Female Characters”
Subtitle: Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen and Russian mezzo-soprano Yulia Matochkina take on iconic roles in a six-performance run at the Royal Opera
Date: [Insert Date]
The Royal Opera is set to revive Nicholas Hytner’s acclaimed 2008 production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Don Carlo,” featuring two of the world’s top female singers in lead roles. Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen will make her role debut as Elisabeth of Valois, while Russian mezzo-soprano Yulia Matochkina takes on the role of Princess Eboli. This production offers audiences a chance to delve into two of Verdi’s most complex and fully realized female characters.
Set against the backdrop of 16th-century Spain, “Don Carlo” tells the story of a love triangle involving real-life historical figures. Don Carlo, a Spanish prince, is secretly in love with Elisabeth of Valois, a French princess betrothed to his father, King Philip II. Princess Eboli, who is also in love with Carlo, threatens to expose the affair, while Carlo’s closest confidant, Rodrigo, has his own machinations. All of this unfolds within the menacing context of the Spanish Inquisition.
While the male characters often dominate the sprawling storyline, it is the women who truly shape the narrative and offer some of the richest characterizations in Verdi’s repertoire. According to Susan Rutherford, author of “Verdi, Opera, Women,” the conflict at the core of Verdi’s works, inspired by Victor Hugo’s ideas, serves to create well-rounded characters rather than simple archetypes of good versus evil.
Verdi’s profound understanding of characters can be attributed, in part, to his works’ foundation in plays by renowned writers of the 18th and 19th centuries. The female leads in “Don Carlo” reflect this emphasis on complex characterization while also highlighting their agency within a historically oppressive setting.
For Yulia Matochkina, who has previously sung the role of Princess Eboli in major opera houses worldwide, it is evident that Verdi’s female characters possess layers of strength and weakness that set them apart from their male counterparts. Princess Eboli epitomizes this complexity, channeling love, jealousy, agony, desire for revenge, and political influence with great energy.
Lise Davidsen, making her Verdi opera debut as Elisabeth, relates her empathy for the character’s predicament. In a world dictated by forced marriages and royal obligations, Elisabeth must navigate the internal conflict between her love for Carlo and her duty to marry King Philip. This struggle mirrors historical circumstances seen both in England and Norway, and resonates with audiences today.
Verdi’s “Don Carlo,” composed in 1867, marked the beginning of a remarkable phase in the composer’s career that included masterpieces like “Aida,” “Otello,” and “Falstaff.” The Royal Opera’s production of this five-act, four-plus-hour rendition of “Don Carlo” captures the essence of historical moments, allowing viewers to witness the intricacies of characters’ lives amidst palace intrigues.
Ultimately, “Don Carlo” explores the themes of love, commitment, religious devotion, and the boundaries imposed by societal expectations. Far from being a mere historical relic, the opera evokes emotions and dilemmas that audiences can relate to today. Davidsen sums it up by saying, “These are things we know from our lives now. All of these things are what we recognize, and it’s all told in such a brilliantly written opera.”
The Royal Opera’s revival of “Don Carlo,” running from June 30 to July 15, promises a captivating portrayal of Verdi’s female characters, brought to life by two extraordinary singers. This production serves as a reminder of the enduring power of opera to engage and resonate with audiences across generations.