BocelliOnline

[LaSignoraMusica]

Tonight I went to the Amsterdam Muziektheater to see Don Carlo. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra played, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Direction: Willy Decker, stage design/costumes: Wolfgang Gussmann.
Cast: Don Carlo - Rolando Vilazon
Filippo II- Robert Lloyd
Rodrigo - Dwayne Croft
Il Grande Inquisitore - Jaakko Ryhänen
Elizabetta de Valois - Amanda Roocroft
La principessa d'Eboli - Violeta Urmana
The version chosen was the 1884 Milano version in 4 acts. The stage was made into a large room in a family tomb, with marble stones along the walls, with names of ancestors. I don't know the name in english, but the coffins are behind those stones. The stage changes took place without curtain inbetween, so the action remained in the same building.
In the first act the room was semicircular. Under the singing of the monks offstage, Don Carlo entered, seeking refuge. Then followed a man, severe, which proved later to be Filipe, his father, and a group of monks. Agiant crucifix was lowered from the ceiling, the feet alone were man-size. Filipe, without words, grabbed Don Carlo in the neck and made him kneel before the Crucifix. After that Don Carlo sang his romanza. Since this tomb was the place where the action took place, Elizabetta also entered in the same room. The same with Eboli and the Ladies-in-waiting. One exception: 2nd act, scene one: the action has moved to a place under the stars, seemingly the roof of the building.
I can go on about the stage design, which succeeded in creating a very depressing athmosphere. The costumes were all in shades of grey, but traditional models. Only the cloth they were made from was simple cotton, covered with spots in a darker shade. Filipe and the court were in dark grey/black, Elizabetta, Rodrigo and Don Carlo in light grey. The Inquisitor was dressed in red velvet, while Eboli (unlike Elisabetta dressed with a low cut décolleté) was trying to seduce Don Carlo amidst countless bunches of red roses shattered on the floor.
The central character was Filipe. Also because he entered several times in silent play, all the time trying to control everything. Don Carlo was played wonderfully by Rolando Vilazon. I wonder how much he was inspired by the historical character. He had a strange walk, and intense movements. Don Carlo's pain was palpable in the theater. And of course, Rolando has a wonderful voice. He sang with passion, with a beautiful sound. The mezzo Violeta Ulana as Eboli was also great. This was her last Eboli, she is stepping over to the Dramatic Soprano fach now.
Of course there is much more to say but....I want to share what happened after the show: Rolando signed his new cd after the performance. I couldn't resist and bought it, and got it signed by him. And the programme booklet, and the cd booklet, and...he made a self-portrait-cartoon on the back of a photo! He is a real nice guy. I told him that I read about the performance on his website, and succeeded in getting the last ticket. He asked me if I were a singer. A soprano. I said "Yes, how do you know?" He said "I can see it in your eyes!" now, isn't that fun? He wished me luck with my career and we said goodbye....
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I believe in the equality of all people, I try to respect all living creatures, and I believe in the power of love....

[Melodie]

Thanks for sharing this, LSM - I know other people have posted about Rolando on the forum...I need to go back and refresh my memory. :wink: I'm so happy that he turned out to be so personable! Great memories of a great performance?

Can you tell us more about Rolando in the "other singers" forum? :P