It used to be thought that Verdi miscalculated with this attempt at a “grand opera” in the French style. This guide demonstrates that Don Carlos was – and remains – an extraordinary achievement in melding two opposing visions of opera: the spectacular public aspect of the French tradition with the dramatic concision of the Italian. And because of the variety of versions which Verdi sanctioned, this debate is open-ended.

Contents: A Grand Opera with a Difference, Julian Budden; Off the Beaten Track, Gilles de Van; “A Family Portrait in a Royal Household”: ‘Don Carlos’ from Schiller to Verdi, F.J. Lamport; Stendhal’s ‘Don Carlos’: “The most moving opera ever written”, by Nicholas Cronk; Don Carlos: Grand Opera in Five Acts by Joseph Méry and Camille du Locle; Don Carlo: Italian translation by Achille de Lauzières and Angelo Zanardini with additional material translated by Piero Faggioni; Don Carlos: English translation by Andrew Porter; Introduction by Jennifer Batchelor