Elijah Moshinsky returns to Australia to direct the most lavish of Don Carlos

Elijah Moshinsky's lavish production of Verdi's Don Carlo has been revived and reworked and marks the great director's return to his homeland with Opera Australia. The production runs from 20 - 29 May at Arts Centre Melbourne, and 14 July - 15 August at Sydney Opera House.

Moshinsky's much anticipated return has been the subject of a great amount of buzz in the press, resulting in many articles and news stories. This fabulously balanced article, by Limelight Magazine's editor Clive Paget, really gets to the crux of the opera itself and is beautifully insightful into the mind of one of the industry's most lauded and cherished directors. 

In the Royal court of Spain, duty to King and country comes before personal happiness. Elisabetta is betrothed and in love with the prince Don Carlo, but when it is decided she should marry his father instead, she accepts her duty and marries the King. Devastated, Don Carlo throws himself into a cause at the bequest of his friend Rodrigo; the liberty of the oppressed Flemish people.

The Spanish inquisition is raging, and suspicion is everywhere. The people suspect their neighbours of heresy. Princess Eboli suspects that Elisabetta loves Don Carlo. King Phillip suspects his wife does not love him at all. The Grand Inquisitor suspects Don Carlo and Rodrigo of heresy. No one suspects that Eboli loves Don Carlo too, a jealous love that will lead her to betrayal.