Don Carlo at The OH!

There are several versions of this Verdi Masterpiece.
The original French version of 5 acts is called Don Carlos.
Over 20 years various 'abridged' versions were tried, finally culminating in that Italian language version as seen at The OH! Thursday (with Emerald Cast).  There was no ballet scene as in the French version.

So here is a sample of what maybe missed by some ballet/opera lovers :-)


ONLY 3 1/2 hours including 2 short intermissions.
All are based on the Schiller Play.

BTW the Auto De Fe scene was cut as well.  The only hint of the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition were two cowed, cowled extras who stood with bowed heads and were shortly thereafter escorted off stage.

Having cut the Woods of Fountainebleu scene, makes it perhaps a bit confusing at first.
That act explains that Elisabetta, originally affianced to Don Carlo, was given in marriage by her father to Don Carlo's Father, King Phillip, which makes what follows more understandable.

Under Maestro Enrico Carreon Robledo the OH Orchestra produced lavish sounds, especially the string section, despite the diminished size as is the case in the intimate house of The OH!
Whereas in a bigger house  many more instruments are to be heard, here several of the players had solos and managed them quite well.
Staging, again due to the size of the house, was simple and mostly well lit.
Costumes were period style - quite suitable for a Spanish Court.



Elisabetta/Newton
by gwenturnerjuarez

 Elisabetta was sung with regal grace and a bright expressive soprano by Emily Newton, a native Texan.

Rodrigo/Lickteig and Don Carlo/Darling
by kinjotx



Don Carlo, Tenor Neil Darling, sang with fervor. His voice blended well with the burnished, quite powerful baritone of  Daniel Lickteig as his friend Rodrigo, Marquis de Posa. Especially touching in the final scene when Rodrigo entreats Don Carlo to go on and rule well.



Jennifer Kosharski's strong Mezzo with touches of contralto, acted and sang with steely prowess the role of Princess Eboli. Her 'O don fatale', was greeted with applause.

King Phillip, Bass Alexander Scopino, was touching in his solo of the anguished husband and ruler, who bows to the dictat of the Grand Inquisitor, who was sung with a powerful, rich bass by Erik Kroncke.

 Grand Inquisitor/Kroncke
 by gwenturnerjuarez



King Phillip/Scopino and Elisabetta/ Newton
by gwenturnerjuarez



The Heavenly Voice, heard from on high, was sung by Soprano Traci Davis with soft beauty.

Eboli/Kosharsi and Tebaldo/Ross
by gwenturnerjuarez

The Cameo roles of  Page Tebaldo, A royal herald , Count Lerma and Flemish Deputy/Monk were filled ably by soprano Rachel Ross in the trouser role of boy page, Tenor George Williams, Tenor Scott Travis, and Bass Daymon Passmore, all familiar to OH Audiences.

I did notice that both Newton and Lickteig seemed a bit under the weather.

If that is how they sounded then, they'd be truly stunnung to hear when hale and hearty!

The house was packed, the audience enthusiastic and applauded vigorously.

Soprano Emily Newton getting a standing ovation

.

Five more performances, tonight, 1/29 and  Feb 3,4,5.