Verdi - Don Carlo / Pavarotti, Dessi, Ramey, d'Intino, Coni, Muti, La Scala Opera

Great Opera. Fabulous productions. Wonderful suspenseful dramatic music. Two things. The first act of the opera has been omitted in this production, so you might need to read a synopsis to follow the story. I know I did. Second thing, I am not sure I understand the ending.

This is the best conducted Don Carlo but leaves out the Prologue...a sin really. Muti especially excells in the last act duet...some of the most beautiful music ever written. Pavarotti is well-costumed and even looks handsome. Dessi is a wonder; D'intino perfect. There are only a few mezzos ever who can really sing this daunting role. If anything, Ramey looks too young to be Pavarotti's father but he is magnificent throughout. I saw Roberto Alagna in the role at the Met and he is heir to Pavarotti and what an actor...my favorite tenor.it is a shame that Muti will no longer perform at the met. he has a house in puglia where i do also, spending 3 to 4 months a year here. i wonder if he reads reviews....please maestro come back to the met!

My wife and I are passionate operaphiles, and every chance we get, we build our library of operas with the best of all time. Don Carlo with Pavarotti in the title role is a masterpiece. This version is perfect.

Muti and Ramey were great too!!

I still prefer The Met production with Domingo, however, I bought this for Sam Ramey's performance as King and certainly wasn't disappointed! He was great! Dessi was a pleasant surprise as Elizabetta! Enjoyed her performance very much! Pav is much better than usual, thinner and more animated. It was well known that his voice cracked on a high note during one of the performances of this run without anyone mentioning the thousands he has hit and, of course, the audience booed. If it was during this one, they fixed with dubbing. Why any major stars put up with the audience behavior at La Scala and Muti's tantrums is still a mystery. The only weak voice was Cano's as Rodrigo - too much vibrato for my taste but his acting was acceptable. Sets were grand if somewhat lifeless. The costumes were beautiful but somewhat colorless which gave the whole effect a dark and somber look. The minor characters were well sung and the orchestra sometimes too loud but colored nicely and chorus sounded just fine. Enjoyed it as a different version when I'm tire of watching The Met and the French verson from the Chatelet in Paris. Both of which I rank above this one. A definite good buy if Pav and Dessi fan and a "must have" if you love Ramey! I look forward to sharing it with friends who haven't seen it and consider it a worth addition to the collection.

Excellent show and performance.

Best Don Carlo ever

Brilliant.