Verdi: Don Carlos (complete opera); Alagna, Hampson, van Dam

Giuseppe Verdi (Artist), Roberto Alagna (Artist), Jose van Dam (Artist), Thomas Hampson (Artist), Eric Halfvarson (Artist), Csaba Airizer (Artist), Anat Efraty (Artist), Antonio Pappano (Artist), Orchestre de Paris (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 21, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000002RWK
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #272,222 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Prélude & Introduction. Le cerf s'enfuit sous la ramure

2. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Récit & romance. Fountainebleau! Forêt immense et solitaire!

3. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Je l'ai vue, et dans son sourire

4. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Scène & Duo. Le bruit du cor s'éteint sous l'ombre épaisse

5. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. Que faites-vous donc?

6. Don Carlo, opera: Act 1. De quels transports poignants

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Scène & romance. Le Roi!

2. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. O ma chère compagne

3. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Scène & duo. Restez!

4. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. O Roi! J'arrive de Flandres

5. Don Carlo, opera: Act 2. Scene 2. Votre regard hardi s'est levé sur mon trône

6. Don Carlo, opera: Act 3. Scene 1. Introduction & choeur. Que de fleurs et que d'étoiles

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Scène & quatuor. Justice, Sire!

2. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Maudit soit le soupçon infâme

3. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. Scène & air. Pitié! Pardon pour la femme coupable!

4. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 1. O don fatal et détesté

5. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 2. Mort de Rodrigue. C'est moi. Carlos

6. Don Carlo, opera: Act 4. Scene 2. Oui, Carlos! C'est mon jour suprême

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what Don Carlos is all about!, April 26, 1999

By 

J. Luis Juarez Echenique "pepechenique" (Mexico City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi: Don Carlos (complete opera); Alagna, Hampson, van Dam (Audio CD)

Don Carlos has been very lucky on record. It seems that every artist involved with this opera is forced to give his best. There are treasurable recordings conducted by Santini (DG), Giulini (EMI) and Solti (DECCA). When Abbado recorded the original French version in 1984, it was a revelation. The original French is much better than the Italian translation. But unfortunately, in spite of Placido Domingo and Abbado' s superb conducting, the rest of the cast was rather disappointing. Tony Pappano readily shows that he has Verdi in his blood in this, his first Verdi recording. The cast is the finest that could be assembled today. All of the leads give terrific performances and everyone is in good voice. Jose van Dam has been criticized for being too light of voice for Philippe. Nonsense, he sings with warmth and conviction, and should not be accused of not being Ghiaurov or Siepi. Alagna, Mattila and Hampson are fresh voiced and very involved. Waltraut Meier is very erotic and sensuous. This is a very successful affair, and I doubt that a better Don Carlos will come in many years.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Performance, But Not Paris "Original", April 8, 2004

By 

JohnB (Newark, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: Don Carlos (complete opera); Alagna, Hampson, van Dam (Audio CD)

There is no denying that this performance is well sung, with better French diction than the Abbado, and that it is effective as drama. But bear66 below is the only reviewer here that gets it right -- this is a composite, NOT the original 1867 version, and the fact that it has been promoted as such is frankly false advertising.

The Prelude and Introduction, cut prior to 1867 is not included. Fair enough. But then in Act II, Posa's account to Carlos of his visit to Flanders is included: Verdi also cut this before the 1867 premiere. The Posa-Philip duet jumps to the 1884 version at the 2/3 mark. The mask changing scene between Elizabeth and Eboli is included, but the ballet is not, strictly contrary to Verdi's expressed intentions. A fragment only of the Elizabeth/Eboli duet, another number cut prior to 1867, is included -- there is no authority that I know of for its inclusion in this form. The "Lacrymosa" ensemble was also cut prior to 1867. The "marziale" section from the final duet is cut, something that was not instituted until the 1872 Naples revision, never for Paris. The ending is also not the Paris version which included a chorus of Inquisitors who try and convict Carlos.

So what do we have? It is not 1867, nor is it the version Verdi completed in 1866 prior to the cuts. It starts as 1867, then reverts to 1866, then jumps ahead to 1884, then back to 1867, further back to 1866, then ahead to 1872 and finally 1884. There are significantly, no liner notes detailing this other than a vague references to "choices" having been made.

The performance is still worth having, particularly since it contains passages not available elsewhere. I simply object to the dishonest way in which this has been presented to the public, particularly those who are less familiar with the history of the opera and take the "Original French Version" claim at face value.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting take, April 28, 1999

By 

astree "bear66" (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: Don Carlos (complete opera); Alagna, Hampson, van Dam (Audio CD)

A composite of earlier versions, this recording is really a series of snapshots of "Don Carlos" as a work in progress. Those who know the later version(s) well will find some unexpected twists, as parts of the score venture off in completely different directions from what you're used to hearing. This can be disconcerting, but it is also an opportunity to re-examine an old favorite from a new vantage point.