Don Carlo: Abbado / Teatro Alla Scala, Ghiaurov

Giuseppe Verdi's 'Don Carlos' is a grand, sprawling drama of romantic and political intrigue set against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition. Opera D'Oro offers the four-act version of the work (in the Italian translation) in a 1968 La Scala performance featuring Nicolai Ghiaurov, Bruno Prevedi, Piero Cappucilli, and Fiorenza Cossotto. Any successful production of 'Don Carlos' requires a superior cast and this one undoubtedly meets the challenge. Cossotto brings her powerful voice and usual fine musicianship to the role of Princess Eboli, while Ghiaurov and Martti Talvela contrast well as King Philip II and the Grand Inquisitor, respectively. Prevedi does a fine job overall, offering an engaging account of the title role, and Cappuccilli, as Rodrigo, shows considerable skill in their third act duet. Claudio Abbado conducts with style and flair and keeps the proceedings moving along nicely.