The Royal Swedish Opera, where this recording was made, was founded in 1773 by King Gustavus III as a national stage for opera in the Swedish language and for ballet.
Composition History
Verdi's opera Don Carlos was originally composed to a French libretto for the Paris Opéra in 1866, despite its final Italian version being staged in Milan in 1884.
Composition History
Verdi made several revisions to Don Carlos, most significantly in 1882 and 1883, due to the opera being too long for its 1867 premiere.
Recording & Production
This album is a highlights disc taken from a complete live recording of Verdi's Don Carlos at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, made in late 1999 and early 2000.
Interpretation
The Royal Swedish Opera's adaptation of Don Carlos aimed to tell Friedrich Schiller's and Verdi's tale of the tragic impact of the power struggle between Church and State.
Performer Biography
The Royal Swedish Orchestra, which performs on this recording, traces its origins to the Court Chapel of 1526, making it one of the world's oldest orchestras.
Interpretation
The Royal Swedish Opera's recording of Don Carlos, sung in Italian, includes much of the original version to clearly present the narrative of Friedrich Schiller's drama.
