Don Carlos is an opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi. It was based on a famous German play called Don Carlos, Infante of Spain by Friedrich Schiller. Schiller’s story is based on the true story of the life of Carlos, Prince of Asturias (1545-1568) who was promised that he could marry Elisabeth of Valois, but then his father,Philip II of Spain, changed his mind and married her himself. It was part of the peace treaty ending the Italian War of 1551-1559 between the Houses of Habsburg and Valois.

The opera was first performed at the Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra in Paris on March 11, 1867.

Cast:

Don Carlo - Placido Domingo

Elisabeth – Montserrat Caballe

Rodrigo – Sherrill Milnes

Eboli – Shirley Verrett

Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Carlo Maria Giulini – conductor

EMI - 1971