Musical excellence mired by stale production in the Met's Don Carlos

By Ako Imamura, 01 March 2022

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“Matthew Polenzani’s lyrical tenor is perfect for the title role”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: Metropolitan Opera House, New York City on 28 February 2022

Verdi, Don Carlo(s) (French version, 5 acts)

Metropolitan Opera

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor

Sir David McVicar, Director

Charles Edwards, Set Designer

Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Costume Designer

Adam Silverman, Lighting Designer

The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

The Metropolitan Opera Chorus

Sonya Yoncheva, Elisabeth de Valois

Matthew Polenzani, Don Carlos

Étienne Dupuis, Rodrigo, Marchese di Posa

Eric Owens, Philippe II

John Relyea, Il Grande Inquisitore

Jamie Barton, La Principessa Eboli

Matthew Rose, Un moine

Mei Gui Zhang, Thibault

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Ako Imamura

Atsuko (Ako) Imamura is a retired investment banker in New York City. Born in Japan, she trained as cultural anthropologist in the US before turning to ﬁnance. She now spends her time attending opera and classical music concerts in New York and in Europe. Wagner is her favorite opera composer.

Musical excellence mired by stale new McVicar production in the Met's first French Don Carlos