Don Carlos by Giussepe Verdi - French version in 5 acts
 

    I don't know what the critics saw in this recording. It is simply awful !

    First, the good stuff. Alagna is really good, singing in perfect French (although his rolled R's are not part of the French way of singing/pronouncing), with an exciting interpretation sounding young and also with a ringing top when required (also some use of pianissimos when necessary).

    Thomas Hampson is fine, but alas he is not a Verdian baritone and he gets tired just when he has to sing his two most difficult arias in Act 4 unable to sustain the breath (I once saw Renato Bruson sing this two arias live and it was really something).

    Jose Van Dam is a decent singer, superb French, marvelous technique but he's underpowered in volume and let's be honest, he's not a bass and Felipe is a true bass role.

    Karita Matila is disappointing, after a promising start, she starts singing out of tune and by Act 5 she's at odds with the orchestra. Her French is acceptable but she lacks style, but she interprets the role good enough.

    Waltraud Meier is the worst Eboli ever, she's incapable of singing Verdi and when I want to scare somebody I play her 'O don fatale' (it can also be used to revive the dead :-).

    The conducting is poor, Papagno also chose a mix and match of the original French edition and revisions (not explained in the booklet) of poor taste, the duet between Rodrigue and Felipe cannot compare to Verdi's revision and also the last act duet (I liked the Act 4 finale revision though).

    The recording sound is not good, too much stage noises and the perspective is not always adequate.

    The only recording to compare with is Abbado's which is also in French. It is more complete (brings most of Verdi's revisions and alternatives) and much better conducted. In fact, Abbado's conducting is superb, the best conductor of this masterpiece by far. The La Scala Orchestra is also superior to EMI's French orchestra.   The singers are in a different league. Domingo gives his best interpretation of the role, his French is not near as good as Alagna, but boy what a voice ! Just listen to the closing of Act 5 to see what I mean ! Ricciarelli, although much criticized by the general press, is excellent. Her pianissimos puts Matila in the shade and she interprets much more the role portraying Elisabeth as a really young queen. Terrani as Eboli is not a Verdian mezzo-soprano but she has a superb technique and proves that unlike Meier she is a singer and not a screamer. Raimondi is equal to Van Dam, and Nucci sings in Italian (although he speaks French) but provides much of the power Hampson lacks.