It’s a grounded, mature performance of a very difficult role. He also acted the role very well, making convincing his Act Three transition from tyrant calling for the noblemen’s heads to newly found grace as he forgives the traitors and allows Elvira and Ernani to be together. Quinn Kelsey was brilliant as Don Carlo, his dark baritone ringing out with rounded warmth throughout, whether snarling in his rage or sweetly wooing Elvira. Her acting is also fine, especially in her moments of ferocity in defending herself and her lover.
Soprano Tamara Wilson, seeming slightly underpowered in her opening of “Ernani, involami…” quickly warmed in the cabaletta and produced gorgeous silvery tone through the rest of the opera, her voice soaring over the orchestra and chorus in ensembles and singing at all times with sensitivity and warmth. Tenor Russell Thomas used his clarion voice to wonderful effect as Ernani, singing with power and precision, yet able to sing with a palpable sweetness in his scenes with Elvira. The price of honor indeed!īut the singing in this production is so spectacularly good that the plot flaws seem unimportant. And, straining credulity even farther, Ernani elects to stab himself in fulfillment of his promise despite Elvira’s pleas. Then, when Elvira and Ernani are united and joyful at last, we hear (of course) the hunting horn. This idea strains credulity, as does the changing of Carlo from villain to hero in the course of a single scene. When Ernani, trying to escape the King, promises Silva that if he helps him, he will kill himself when he hears Silva blow a hunting horn, we know it’s all downhill from there. duty, and whether one’s personal honor must be served at all costs.
What is lyric opera free#
Elvira is steadfast in her love for Ernani, even pulling a knife to free herself from the King’s clutches her bravery and single-minded desire to fight for what she wants in a man’s world makes her one of the more powerful female characters in all of Verdi. This “love quadrangle” is completed by the arrival at Silva’s of Don Carlo, King of Spain, who intends to have Elvira as well, by force if necessary.
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