It is common knowledge that Giuseppe Verdi, by nature a critical man, not only found much to disapprove of in the trends of his day but also subjected his own work to a continuous process of editing and revision.

None of his operas did he alter, abridge, rearrange or rewrite more intensely than his grimmest work of all – DON CARLO -, whose web of political, religious and social constraints is most reminiscent of the inescapability of destiny associated with Greek drama.

Verdi began writing the opera in 1865, and twenty years were to pass before the premiere in Milan of the four-act version that we are most familiar with today. The composer not only wrestled with the two languages of the piece, each with its distinctive form of expression. He was also at pains to achieve the best possible result by repeatedly cutting, reducing and rearranging. The opera, extensive sections of which are faithful to Schiller’s play, went through no less than seven versions.

In none of the opera’s characters does the light of reason sparkle. Prisoners of their situations, prisoners of their own reins of control and of their own making, above all prisoners of a deadly, ever-looming spiritual power greater even than secular hegemony… Verdi captures the essential helplessness of human beings entangled in this network of terror: at best, death brings release.

The performances of Verdi's DON CARLO on 5, 9, 15 and 18 December will take place without the participation of the chorus due to the infection. With the cancellation of two large choral scenes, the performance (with full orchestra in the pit, soloists, complete staging) will be shortened by approximately 25 minutes. The performance still has an intermission. Guests who do not wish to attend the performance due to the change, please contact our telephone ticket service on +49 30 343 84 343 for cancellation and refund of your tickets. We thank you for your understanding!