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wefewwehappyfew · 4 years

Note

Hello! I was scrolling through your posts and I saw your comments on rtve’s Reinas. I have seen it but I couldn’t actually understand what was going on since I can’t speak Spanish.Can you tell me if it is written like Verdi’s Don Carlo?(I mean are Carlos and Elisabetta having an affair?) and your opinions on Philip’s side of the scenerio in general?

Hi!!!!

Sorry for the late reply, I am currently more out of tumblr than in and I just saw this.

I watched Reinas a long time ago and... I frankly do not recommend it.

(Disclaimer: Basing this on the Philip plotline since it is the one I actually watched because I skimmed over the Elizabeth and Mary ones, but I imagine they’ll be equally as terrible)

But yes, it felt like a soap-opera-y messier version of Don Carlo. Only way worse written, and whereas Don Carlos is actually quite likeable in the Verdi opera, here is like they remembered what the actual Don Carlos was like (a very mentally unstable young man, to put it kindly) and shoved it there.

As far as I remember (anyone who has it more fresh in their minds can correct me here), the affair between Elisabeth and Carlos is only hinted at (in a scene where she kisses him when she tries to help him escape from prison, and in something she says to Philip about loving them both, in which I cringed enough to turn the tv off).

Also!!! For some reason that I still do not get, we get Felipe still having an affair with his mistress Isabel de Osorio (and having fathered two sons from her, so Elisabeth can have some drama about only having given him daughters- when the daughters she gave him where his favourite children ffs, one of the only instances of him crying in public is when his youngest daughter by Elisabeth, Catherine Michelle, died. Btw the only other instance I can remember of him crying in public was after Elisabeth’s death.), when, as far as I remember, he did not have any mistress during his marriage to Elisabeth.

But no Princess of Eboli. And for some reason Antonio Pérez is older than Ruy Gomes. (Which wtf)

They have Felipe visiting Elizabeth of England in some diplomatic visit where he’s like he still has a crush on her or something. When the real Felipe didn’t even move to meet Catherine of Medici and sent Elisabeth to negotiate with her mother instead.

Aaand of course, they heavily imply Felipe poisoned Elisabeth.

Full disclosure: I am a Felipe II fan, if this wasn’t obvious. I know the dude made some more-than-questionable choices (Hello poisoning of Bona Sforza, execution of Egmont, and wtf was that mess of appointing a seasick person as the Head of the Armada????), but hey pretty much all historical faves are problematic, aaaaaaaaand he did love Elisabeth. Like, a lot.

Because seriously, pointing again at the crying incidents. Felipe was a huge stickler for protocol, and the protocol of the Spanish Habsburg Court was the absolute worst. It is the same protocol Franz Josef I would adopt later in Vienna and would prompt the then-Prince of Wales to say, after a visit “My G*d, this court is stiff.”

So, for Felipe to start crying, in front of the French Ambassador nonetheless (who was on a diplomatic mission to ensure a potential marriage to Margot, aka Elisabeth’s youngest sister), speaks buckets of how he felt regarding her when put in context.

Aaand, returning to Reinas, makes the idea of even implying Felipe poisoned Elisabeth absolute bullshit.

Like pretty much all the Felipe storyline there.

The only salvageable stuff? The actors. I specially liked Adrián Castiñeiras as Felipe, and I wish he would have gotten an actual good script.

(Still, idk what I was hoping when the man behind the series is mostly known for the most outdated comedy, and for cabaret shows. (When not for getting into financial messes and not paying his workers) And now he’s creating a series about Francis of Assisi and I think I’m gonna have a stroke how does this guy keep getting work)

But yeah, Reinas is not worth your time. I was hyped because I am starved for content with Felipe and Elisabeth, but what you are offered here... is not worth it.

(And don’t even get me started on the costumes. Just... why.)

Also, apologies for the long post!!! I just have, like a ton of feelings regarding Felipe II (and apparently a lot of opinions regarding this show)

#tiktokonaclock #Philip II of Spain #Philip II #Reinas TVE #(seriously what an awful show)

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simone-boccanegra · 4 years

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Rodrigo!!! And Éboli. And Tatyana.

Rodrigo: I had a huge teenage crush on him. he really hits all my buttons, heroic, loyal, freedom fighter, baritone, loves his tenor, sacrifices himself, gets a beautiful death scene.

Eboli: damn, I want to sing her :D her music is so fuckin good. fierce mezzo goddess. bonus if she has the eyepatch.

Tatiana: probably the smartest soprano in opera history. she should crash other operas and tells sopranos not to die for unworthy men and get themselves a ncie bass. also I want to marry her

#notyouraveragejulie

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monotonous-minutia · 4 years

Text

Don Carlo in 250 lines or less

For @notyouraveragejulie

Thank you for the prompt, this was so much fun. At first I thought “How can I possibly do this in 250 lines or less???” but it turned out to be just under 200 so it was all fine.

Anyway---here you go!

Act I, Scene I

Fontainebleu. Any version that does not contain this act is irrelevant.

Hunter’s chorus: We’re singing about our great hunting expedition in perhaps one of the most exhilarating opening choruses in all of opera.

Carlos: I travelled all the way from Spain to try and sneak a peek at my future bride. Isn’t love wonderful?

Thibault: Oh no, we’re lost in the woods. Are you okay, Princess? I mean really are you okay? Are you okay?

Elizabeth: I’m fine, just a little tired.

Carlo: Never fear! I can stay with you in the middle of these woods while your page runs off for help.

Thibault: Wait what

Carlo: I came with the Spanish retinue.

Elizabeth: Sounds great and not sketchy at all. Thibault, go ahead and get me my horse. We’ll wait here for you.

Thibault: Okay, I guess…

Elizabeth: So, you’re from Madrid? I’ve been betrothed to the prince there as part of the peace treaty between our countries.

Carlo: Yes I know all about that.

Elizabeth: I’m very nervous about it and scared to leave my mother and my home. What if the prince doesn’t love me?

Carlo: Guess what? I’m actually Carlo and I love you because you’re so beautiful and sweet.

Elizabeth: Oh that’s great because I was starting to fall for you and felt bad since I’m betrothed! How lucky that I am so attracted to the guy I was going to blind marry.

Carlo and Elizabeth: Listen to the canons! Peace has been declared! Not only are we in love and about to be married, but our countries are finally at peace. This is seriously the best day ever.

Thibault: Elizabeth! Great news! You’re engaged to the king! Please take me with you when you go to Spain. I may have a crush on you. I mean, it will be a great learning experience for me.

Elizabeth: Of course you can stay with me, but you’re mistaken. I’m engaged to the prince, not the king.

Lerma: Plans have changed! Peace will only be declared if you marry the king. What say you?

Chorus of peasants: Please, Elizabeth, we really need a break from all this horribleness.

Elizabeth: Yes, I will marry the king. Oh, this is the worst day ever.

Carlo: My heart is broken! How can heaven be so cruel?

Chorus: Long live the marvelous new queen! We are finally at peace and we can finally be happy!

Elizabeth and Carlo: We’re so sad!!!!

Act II Scene I

The creepy monastery

Monks: Once upon a time there was a very vain emperor named Charles V. Because of his folly, he was doomed to a dishonorable death. His ghost may or may not be wandering around this monastery. The moral of the story: God alone is great and powerful. Never assume you’re greater than God, unless you want to suffer the same fate.

Carlo: I can’t get over how creepy it is that that one Monk looks so much like my grandfather.

Monks leave creepily. Rodrigo comes in.

Rodrigo: Carlo!

Carlo: Rodrigo!

Both: HUG ME I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Rodrigo: What a day to be alive! I just got back from Flanders and it’s chaos over there, but I know we can make things better. It’s time to sword up and go save a country! Hey, what’s wrong?

Carlo: I don’t want to tell you. You’ll hate me.

Rodrigo: There is nothing in this world that would make me hate you. You can tell me anything.

Carlo: I’m in love with my stepmother.

Rodrigo: (Yikes!) It’s okay, we’ll get through this together. Heading to Flanders with me will get her off your mind. Nothing like a lot of depressing situations and some good old blood and gore to get your mind off unrequited love. Remember how we said we would always fight for freedom and live and die as lovers I mean brothers?

Carlo: Duh! It was our entire childhood.

Rodrigo: Don’t look now, here comes the queen and Filippo.

Carlo: I can’t handle this. It’s too hard.

Rodrigo: Remember our cause! We’ll get through this!

Both: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Act II Scene II

The Queen’s garden

Chorus of ladies: What a pretty, sunny day. It’s so nice being ladies in a Spanish court.

Thibault: I have a crush on all these ladies here but especially Princess Eboli, who is the most beautiful of them all and sometimes wears an eyepatch.

Eboli: Let me tell you a story that may or may not be foreshadowing. Once upon a time, a no-good cheating king fell in love with a beautiful lady wearing a veil. Turns out she was his wife all along!

Everyone else: Bravo, Eboli, you’re such a good storyteller, and very beautiful we may add.

Eboli: I know.

Everyone: Here comes the queen. She’s so sad these days.

Elizabeth: It’s nice to see you all so happy. If only I wasn’t so sad!

Thibault: Hey look it’s the Marquis.

Rodrigo: My Queen, I have a special note here from your aunt. (It’s actually from Carlos, read it.)

Eboli: Well, Marquis, how have you been these days? I may or may not be flirting with you right now.

Rodrigo: You’re very pretty in a purely aesthetic sense and I don’t know how to handle flirting so I’m just going to give you some boring news about court gossip.

Elizabeth: The letter from Carlo tells me I should trust Rodrigo and I still love Carlo so I guess I will. Marquis, what can I do for you?

Rodrigo: We both love Carlo (in every sense of the word) and he’s suffering and sad right now. If only you would speak to him, it would help heal his wounded heart.

Elizabeth: Fine, I’ll see him. Everyone, be on your way.

Eboli: Carlo is sad and suffering? That’s too bad. I kind of like him. I think he likes me too. I wonder if we would work as a couple. Hmm.

Everyone leaves Elizabeth alone. Carlo comes in.

Carlo: Elizabeth, I’m suffocating here. I need to get out. Will you let me go to Flanders?

Elizabeth: Yes, if that’s what you need.

Carlo: Why do you have to be so cold? What if I die over there? Don’t you care?

Elizabeth: Well do you want to go or not?

Carlo: I mean I do but

Elizabeth: You don’t get it. I’m the queen now. I have to act all queenly.

Carlos: BUT I STILL LOVE YOU ugh this is so hard why can’t you love me???

Elizabeth: You think this is easy for me??? I’m hurting too you little prick. But what are we supposed to do about it???

Carlo: Be sad forever. Or hate my father. Or both.

Elizabeth: Well unless you plan to kill him I don’t see what we can do, and it would be an awfully nasty wedding. I don’t think anyone would come.

Carlo: Fine, I’m out. I hate my life!

Carlo leaves

Elizabeth: God give me strength! I don’t know why I’m asking you. You’ve been pretty cruel lately. But I’m a good Christian woman so I guess I have to.

Thibault comes back. So does everyone else. And Filippo.

Thibault: THE KING IS HERE OH NO WE’RE IN TROUBLE

Filippo: Why is the Queen all alone? You’re all fired. Wait, no, just this one.

Elizabeth: But she’s my best friend!! How dare you!! Alright, fine. At least she gets to go back to France where I wish I was right now. Goodbye, my lover I mean best friend. Say hello to my mother for me.

Filippo: Too much drama, everyone out.

Everyone else leaves

Filippo: Wait, except you, Posa.

Rodrigo backpedals

Filippo: Tell me, what’s a handsome I mean valiant young man like you doing hanging around but never asking to see me?

Rodrigo: I don’t sit around waiting for the king to give me stuff…

Filippo: Cheeky! I like it. Well, you have me here now. What can I do for you?

Rodrigo: Well you see there’s this stuff going on in Flanders…

Filippo: I’ve got Flanders under control.

Rodrigo: What kind of control is it when people lie miserable in the streets and get killed and leave their crying starving children behind???

Filippo: How dare you talk to me this way! But I also kind of like it. You’re bold. But beware of the Grand Inquisitor.

Rodrigo: Why?

Filippo: Just do it. Anyway, I want you to stay by my side, for purely professional reasons.

Rodrigo: I like where I’m at, thanks.

Filippo: I need you to keep an eye on my wife and son.

Rodrigo: Your son is too pure for this world, you don’t need to worry about him, I’ll take care of him and love him forever.

Filippo: Do you know how hard it is to feel like you’ve lost a son? He hates me. I need someone to keep tabs on him. And I think the queen is cheating on me with him so keep an eye out for that too.

Rodrigo: Okay...

Filippo: So anyway come and work for me and keep me company if you know what I mean.

Rodrigo: This is kind of weird and also I don’t like spying on people especially the ones I really care about but this is a great opportunity to get to know the king better and maybe encourage a change of heart so why not?

Filippo: Great! But I’ll say it one more time in case you forgot because it was several verses ago. Beware the Grand Inquisitor. I’m serious.

Rodrigo: Yeah, yeah…

Act III Scene I

The Queen’s gardens

Chorus: LET’S PARTY LIKE IT’S 1559

Elizabeth: I’m not really in a party mood. I think I’ll go pray to clear my mind. You go ahead to the party, Eboli. Have some fun for me.

Elizabeth leaves

Eboli: Perfect, I get Carlo all to myself! I’m going to write him this note telling him to meet me here later. Also I’m going to put on Elizabeth’s veil because it’s so pretty. I feel like a queen myself. I’m so excited. I love love.

Carlo: I’m so excited I got a note from someone who is Elizabeth of course who else could it be ah here she comes now my love I love you so much.

Eboli: I’ve been waiting to hear those words all my life!

Carlo: Oh dang, it’s you.

Eboli: ???

Carlo: You’re sweet but I can’t love you. It’s not you, it’s me.

Eboli: But I can protect you. I see everything that goes on in the court and there’s people whispering your name all over the place and Rodrigo is following the king around everywhere now so.

Carlo: What?? My lover I mean best friend is in cahoots with my dad who hates me? This is too much. Thank you for being on my side, Princess, but my heart is taken by another.

Eboli: Are you in love with Elizabeth? How dare she pretend to be all saintly and queenly when she’s having an affair like this?

Carlo: Wait no it’s not what it looks like

Rodrigo was apparently jogging nearby and sees this

Rodrigo: LEAVE HIM ALONE YOU WITCH

Eboli: You don’t know the extent of my power. Just wait, I’ll get back at you both.

Rodrigo: Watch your back lady!

Carlo: RODRIGO DON’T STAB HER

Rodrigo: WHY NOT

Eboli: YOU DON’T SCARE ME

Rodrigo: Okay wait there’s always another way. I have a plan and it may be tragic but we’re not there so. I still have time.

Carlo: This is all my fault oh no time for a guilt spiral.

Eboli: I’m going to leave now but I’m not letting you go this easy. Never doubt the power of a woman who is heartbroken and severely POed.

Rodrigo: Carlo, if you have anything incriminating on you give it to me. I’m not sure if I’m trying to protect you or betraying you to further my own agenda. I guess we’ll find out.

Carlo: That’s shady.

Rodrigo: WHAT HOW CAN YOU BE SUSPICIOUS OF ME I LOVE YOU

Carlo: I’M SORRY I LOVE YOU here’s my papers

Both: HUG ME I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

Act III Scene III

Auto-da-fe. The exact location varies but it’s usually very dramatic.

Chorus of people: TODAY IS AWESOME WE GET TO BURN PEOPLE

Chorus of monks: LET TODAY BE A LESSON FOR Y'ALL DON’T GET ON GOD’S BAD SIDE

Everyone: HERE COMES THE KING HE’S AWESOME

Carlo: Wait! I went to Flanders remarkably quickly and brought back these Flemish people to talk you out of burning their friends.

Flemish chorus: Sire, can you please spare our people? We’re very nice we promise

Filippo: Yeah no

Elizabeth, Rodrigo, Lerma, Thibault, Carlo: Come on Sire can you let them go just this once?

Filippo: I’m the king so I make the decisions! Stop questioning me I’m getting cranky.

Carlo: If you don’t do something I will! Father, let me rule Flanders. I’ll be king one day so I may as well start ruling.

Filippo: And give you the power to usurp me or kill me?? Not a chance.

Carlo: Fine, I’ll just kill you now then!

Filippo: Somebody help! What? No one’s gonna do anything? Fine, I’ll kill him myself. En garde!

Rodrigo: Carlo you are seriously your own worst enemy stop it you’re gonna kill yourself. Give me your sword so I can protect you but also stay on Filippo’s good side because yeah it’s morally ambiguous but I need him right now so.

Everyone else: RODRIGO HOW COULD YOU

Filippo: Posa, you’re the best. You’re promoted for purely professional reasons there’s no subtext here at all. Guards, arrest my son. I’ll deal with him later. Now on to the celebration! Who doesn’t love a good bonfire?

Act IV Scene I

Filippo’s chamber

Filippo: Time for an existential crisis. I’m tired, overworked, and my wife who is significantly younger than me and betrothed to me out of the blue and plucked from her homeland and taken to a rather messy court inexplicably doesn’t love me. Also my son hates me. I wish I could sleep but the only way I see myself doing that is in my coffin. What’s a king to do?

Lerma (Apparently just standing there waiting to say this): The Grand Inquisitor is here.

Inquisitor: Am I standing by the king?

Filippo: Yes. I have a few questions. First, my son is being a real pain in my you know what lately. Any tips?

Inquisitor: Kill him.

Filippo: My son?? How can I call myself a Christian if I kill my own son?

Inquisitor: Jesus.

Filippo: Fair point. Be on your way.

Inquisitor: Not so fast! You should kill Posa too.

Filippo: No way! In all this world there has never been a man with whom I feel so close. And yes I am aware of how gay that sounds.

Inquisitor: Welp it’s that or you’re in the lurch and who knows what the inquisition will do if I’m not on your side so….

Filippo: Fine.

Inquisitor exits. Elizabeth runs in.

Elizabeth: I DEMAND JUSTICE. Everyone here hates me and to top it off I lost my jewelry box.

Filippo: You mean this one that I have right here that has a picture of Carlo inside it???? How dare you cheat on me!

Elizabeth: I would never! Do you understand how hard it was for me to come here and be separated from my family?? But I’ve never committed a sin in my life and I’m not about to start.

Filippo: Okay, cheater.

Elizabeth faints.

Filippo: When will I learn to shut my mouth???

Rodrigo and Eboli rush in as if they’d been waiting by the door

Rodrigo: Seriously Filippo you control half the world, why can’t you control yourself?

Filippo: I know I suck

Elizabeth: I wish I was home. I’ll never be happy again. What’s the point of life?

Eboli: Oh no, I screwed up, poor Elizabeth.

Rodrigo: I was hoping I had more time, but it’s clear I can wait no longer. I must put my plan into motion and die an honorable death to save the country I love and the man I love.

Everyone leaves except Elizabeth and Eboli

Eboli: ELIZABETH I’M SORRY YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN SO NICE TO ME BUT I DID THIS HORRIBLE THING. I gave Filippo the jewelry box to make him angry but it’s all because I love Carlo. Also I called you a cheater but actually that’s me.

Elizabeth: Well I was GOING to forgive you for loving Carlo but soiling my reputation is not okay so you can leave now, be a nun, or leave the country, I don’t care. Also I want my cross back. I can’t remember giving it to you but I want it back.

Elizabeth leaves

Eboli: I’ll never see the queen again! I messed up so bad! GD it, why do I have to be so beautiful? Obviously that’s why I have problems, not because I have a precarious moral compass. Wait a second, Carlo’s going to be killed by the inquisition?? Not on my watch! I’m coming, beloved who will never love me!

Eboli runs off to rile people up

Act IV Scene II

Prison

Rodrigo: Carlo, it’s me.

Carlo: Rodrigo, thank you for coming to visit me. I’m done gone over Elizabeth. I don’t think I can be of much use right now especially seeing as I’m in jail and no one’s told me if I can leave or what. But you’ll be a great leader for Flanders.

Rodrigo: Actually you’ll be out of here soon because I told everyone that I’m the traitor not you.

Carlo: WHAT THEY’LL KILL YOU

Rodrigo: Yeah I know

Carlo: Why would you do that???

Rodrigo: Because I’ve learned after all this messiness and moral ambiguity and betrayal that above all else in the world I love you and I’d die for you so I will.

Carlo: This can’t be happening.

Rodrigo: I’m afraid it is.

Gunshot

Carlo: OH MY GOD WHO GOT SHOT

Rodrigo: Me.

Carlo: OH MY GOD

Rodrigo: Listen, your mother will meet you at the monastery tomorrow. She knows everything and she’ll help you escape to Flanders. You were born to rule them and I was born to die for you. Don’t be sad. I’m not sad. I saved you and that’s the only thing that matters to me.

Filippo and his courtiers enter

Filippo: Hey son! Great news. You’ve been exonerated. You’re free to go.

Carlo: No way in hell am I coming with you. Do you see what you’ve done???? The person I love most in this world is dead because you made him feel like he had to die for me.

Filippo: ???

Carlo: He was innocent you prick!

Filippo: Oh cruel fate! How can this be happening? Who will return this beautiful soul to me?

Carlo: I will either carry on in his name or lay beside him in the grave.

Filippo: His brave words gave me life. I can’t go on without him.

Courtiers: What are we? Chop liver?

Lerma: Sire, there’s people outside making a ruckus…

A crowd of people push their way into the prison including Eboli and Elizabeth

Chorus of people: LET OUR PRINCE GO

Eboli: See, Elizabeth, it’s all because I loved him. I spent all night riling up these peasants to come save Carlo.

Elizabeth: I can’t watch this it’s too much.

Inquisitor: SETTLE DOWN PEASANTS AND KNEEL BEFORE YOUR KING

Chorus of people: OH NO IT’S THE GRAND INQUISITOR

Filippo: All I have left now is being a king so I’m going to yell at everyone to bow before me as I stand next to the d-bag who convinced me to kill an innocent man.

Chorus of people: We’re sorry. We’ll be quiet.

Eboli: Carlo, come with me, I’ll help you escape. Then it’s off to the convent for me, but at least I did my part.

Act V Scene I

The creepy monastery again

Elizabeth: Emperor Charles knew how horrible this world is. Not sure why I’m saying that except maybe to foreshadow later events. Anyway, I’m very sad. I’m so far from home, I feel like I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved. Plus I just watched a man die to save the one we both love most in this world. Fate is so cruel. Part of me just wishes I were dead already. I don’t think things could get any darker than this.

Carlo enters

Carlo: Mother, I’m here to say our final goodbye. Rodrigo is dead and I’ll never recover. I’m off to Flanders to finish his good work. I’ve finally come to peace with the fact that you’re my mother, and after all you’d make a really good mother despite the age difference (or lack thereof). I hope you live the rest of your life in peace. Maybe we’ll see each other in Heaven when all of this is over.

Elizabeth: Good-bye, dear son. I’ve resigned myself to my fate and I’m so proud of you. You will save an abandoned people and become a hero.

Filippo barges in

Filippo: This is all very touching but I’m really angry because everything is out of control. I killed the only man I’ve ever loved, my son is lost to me forever because of his foolhardy notions and traitorous actions, and I don’t think my wife will ever love me after all of this is over. Guards, finish off my son.

Inquisitor (who is always just inexplicably THERE): Kill him in the name of God!

Carlo: NO! I won’t go out like this! Though in some versions I do.

Monk dressed as Charles V (or maybe it is Charles V?????) LIFE IS BASICALLY POINTLESS WE’RE ALL SINNERS YOU MAY AS WELL JUST FACE DEATH NOW

Everyone: OMG A GHOST

Carlo: I’m not sure if I’m dead or dying or in a trance or maybe this is all just a dream. However you spin it, this is the end. I don’t see anything happening after this.

He goes with the monk into the monastery. Or gets stabbed. Depends on who’s telling the story.

THE END

#don carlo #don carlos #opera #opera ask challenge #opera tag #grand opera #abbreviated operas #kinda irreverant #this was so much fun #not-your-average-julie #rodrigo di posa #elizabeth de valois #elizabetta di valois #king philippe #king filippo #princess eboli #thibault #tebaldo

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count-di-luna · 5 years

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The character ask - well, someone had to throw these classic idiot gays at you so just let it be me :) Just choose one or do them all, I'll gladly read everything about these boys. Filippo (OBvIoUsLy), Rodrigo (duh), Eboli, Carlo (both of them), Alvaro, Di Luna, Boris Godunov (surprise! but once in a while even I fancy some Russian opera; and while we're at it...), Eugene Onegin. :D

Filippo:

How I feel about this character: he’s a disaster but I love him

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Rodrigo

My non-romantic OTP for this character: also Rodrigo

My unpopular opinion about this character: Raimondi never should have touched it, he sucks

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: someone GIVE HIM A HUG?!

Rodrigo:

How I feel about this character: my teenage crush and also hero

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Carlo, Filippo

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Elisabetta, they could be good friends

My unpopular opinion about this character: don’t think I have one?

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: if he didn’t die. that would be nice. but then again the sweet ANGST

Eboli:

How I feel about this character: Harold...

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Elisabetta

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Tebaldo

My unpopular opinion about this character: -

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: doN’t sleep with Filippo sleep with Elisabetta

Carlo (tenor):

How I feel about this character: Carlo. Honey. Please chill for like five seconds.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Rodrigo, Elisabetta

My non-romantic OTP for this character: -

My unpopular opinion about this character: he’s pretty much hopeless

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: run away to Flanders and marry Rodrigo

Carlo (baritone):

How I feel about this character: a chaotic mess and I love him a lot

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Alvaro

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Preziosilla

My unpopular opinion about this character: he isn’t just a villain! he’s fucked up but needs love

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: if only he would admit his feelings towards Alvaro

Alvaro:

How I feel about this character: a Good Tenor

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Carlo

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Guardiano. poor boy needs a surrogate dad

My unpopular opinion about this character: -

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: if only he weren’t curséd with the worst luck

Di Luna:

How I feel about this character: MY LOVE

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Ferrando mostly

My non-romantic OTP for this character: if they knew the truth, I think he would get along with Manrico and they would be a force of absolute chaos

My unpopular opinion about this character: NOT! EVIL!

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: well the whole finale Did Not Need to happen but it also needed to happen

Boris:

How I feel about this character: oh, fucked up mess with a deep voice... excellent

All the people I ship romantically with this character: his wife I guess? he had one but she is Ms Not Appearing In This Opera

My non-romantic OTP for this character: poor man had zero friends, he’s surrounded by treacherous snakes

My unpopular opinion about this character: -

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: someone get him a good therapist

Eugene Onegin:

How I feel about this character: someone please hit him when he’s about to fuck up which is often

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Lensky

My non-romantic OTP for this character: -

My unpopular opinion about this character: Tatiana was wise not to run away with him, he’s a mess

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.: dude can you maybe not kill your best friend. what the fuck

#widevibratobitch

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simone-boccanegra · 4 years

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Don Carlo!!! (And I’ll also throw in Ballo and Vespri)

Don Carlo

It really only works in its specific era, since it’s about actual historical people (even if it’s more wildly fictional than Amadeus). So pretty (although somewhat sleek and elegant) 16th century costumes and very heavy, crushing sets that really hammer the Church’s suffocating presence home.

And also VERY gay. Not just Carlo/Rodrigo (they kiss and everything) but also Filippo/Rodrigo. We all know what’s up! (Oh and there’s some Harold with Elisabetta/Aremberg and Elisabetta/Eboli.)

And: make the auto-da-fé a real gory spectacle! Make the audience uncomfortable, like hello it’s supposed to be horrifying!

And I prefer the “Carlo dies” ending. It makes a bit more sense than Carlo Quinto dragging him in the tomb. He still appears of course but Carlo already stabbed himself and maybe dies in his arms. Elisabetta can scream for as long as possible (although trying to outdo Caballé is futile).

My ideal cast would be Jonas, Ludovic, René Pape, Harteros and Garanca or Rachvelishvili. Oh, and Morris Robinson for the Inquisitor! His voice is fucking INCREDIBLE.

Five-act extended Italian (ie. Lacrimosa and some other additional scenes but Restate stays normal)

Ballo

Now, we could go full rococo but I don’t like those stupid powdered wigs, so maybe move it into regency era? It’s very pretty and the ladies would be more comfortable without stays and five billion heavy layers. The ball could be themed - maybe Renaissance!

Also: gun, not knife, and Gustavo gets to die in the arms of Renato and Amelia.

Cast: Castronovo, Ruciński or Alaimo, Harteros or Rebeka, Lisette, Rachvelishvili

Vespri

I really like how it’s pretty much always Risortimento. It fits. It’s elegant and less distant than some obscure medieval event.

Also: full-on Red Wedding style massacre at the end. I want BLOOD. I want Monforte and Arrigo both killed. I want Elena to stab Procida in revenge for her boyfriend. (Also the chorus butchers the French in the background.)

I’d like to see Tagliavini as Procida (bastard should always be hot!), Tézier as Monforte, not quite sure about Elena, maybe Sorensen?, and Castronovo as Arrigo. Also it’s in Italian because an opera about Italians murdering French oppressors shouldn’t be in French.

#notyouraveragejulie

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monotonous-minutia · 4 years

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so: Don Carlo, Trovatore (also pls give more impressions too!), and Rigoletto?

So I am ashamed to say I have not yet seen Rigoletto (I keep putting it off bc it’s “scary”) and when I started writing about Trovatore it turned into something really super long so I’m going to do a separate post for that one so ON TO DON CARLO

FYI: This post got super long and is kind of colorful and irreverent.

It’s ridiculous how much I love this opera. There’s a whole story behind it. I’ll tell that someday. But for now:

I LOVE the historical aspects of the opera so I’d keep the costumes/set true to the time/setting. I’d go on the simple side with costumes, because too much glam can be distracting and I can’t believe that no one was sweltering in the blazing Spanish sun under so many layers of velvet. No wonder they’re all so cranky.

But for the set I’d want to go all-out and just make it elaborate and gorgeous. It’s a grand opera that deserves a grand set. I’m talking buildings and walls and furniture and decor. Portraits on the walls. Obviously one of Charles V. Maybe in Filippo’s room. And a big frickin moon like in the Salzburg 2013 production for when they’re outside. And a big beautiful garden full of all the flowers and trees that the ladies describe in their song. Maybe some shrub art. And a monastery that’s big enough so we actually believe that Carlo could have gotten pulled inside it.

OBVIOUSLY this will be the 5-act version, don’t really care about the language. I’d like the Elizabeth-Eboli scene and the masquerade chorus part because it’s a smoother transition into the act and it’s the one moment where we see Elizabeth and Eboli actually interacting as friends. Plus Eboli wearing the veil just doesn’t make sense without it. As for the Lacrymosa, if I have the power, I might run it by the baritone to see what he’d prefer, because the reason it was cut in the first place is because the actor didn’t want to lie motionless on the stage for an extra 10 minutes. So if the actor’s game, I’d keep it in.

BUT, for purely selfish reasons, I wouldn’t have it open with the woodcutter’s chorus. I just love the opening fanfare too much. Find out more in my 4,000 word autobiographical essay, release date tbd.

I wouldn’t have the ending where Carlo dies. I actually got really mad and cried when I found out that was how Hytner’s production ended. Besides, there’s something indelibly chilling about Carlo getting spirited into a dark, creepy doorway by the guy we THOUGHT was a monk but MIGHT ACTUALLY BE CHARLES V.

Acting.

Obviously Carlo and Rodrigo are gay. They’re going to be hugging all the time. Holding hands. Except maybe when Rodrigo visits him in prison they hold back a bit because Rodrigo’s actions are what sent Carlo there in the first place. (Awkwardddd)

But Carlo also loves Elizabeth. And Elizabeth loves Carlo but also Eboli and the Countess. And Eboli loves Elizabeth and Carlo. I’d just normalize polyamory. Like it’s totally okay to be in love with two (or more) people at the same time. Why not?

Personally I feel the Filippo/Rodrigo part is creepy because of the age difference so I’d leave that one up to the audience’s perceptions. Same reason I wouldn’t take the Eboli/Thibault dynamic too far. He can crush on her to the moon and back, but she’s got to make it clear it’s not going to happen. If I know my history well enough he’d be like 12. And Eboli is better than that. I mean she sleeps with Filippo but she’s not going to take advantage of a kid. Not that anybody really goes that way. I guess I’m just rambling now.

Now THIBAULT. This kid needs all the love. The garden scene is his playground. He’s going to be all over the place. All the girls love him (because they think he’s funny) and he’s too shy to do anything but gaze at them with puppy-dog eyes and give them flowrs. And I love it when he spies on the grown-ups. He wants so badly to be a part of this. He came all the way from France after all. And he’s going to be super active during the auto-de-fe too. This is his first time getting so involved in politics. Before this he was just following his princess around and running errands. This is a huge moment for him. I’d like to find a way for him to not disappear after this scene but I can’t come up with anything that would make sense. Also I need Rodrigo to ruffle his hair. Please.

Rodrigo is moral ambiguity personified. His driving force is his love for Carlo but he’s also super invested in his cause--helping Flanders--and sometimes has to make these huge, difficult decisions between staying true to Carlo and getting himself to a place where he can be more useful politically. The moral ambiguity shows. The auto-de-fe is a blatant betrayal. Carlo is a little angry when Rodrigo comes to see him in prison. His “thank you for coming to see me” might be passive-aggressive. We’ll see how it plays. Now I’m talking like this is actually going to happen. I would DIE.

Now let’s talk Elizabeth. Sometimes I honestly feel she has it the worst out of all of them (except Rodrigo obviously, he dies). Her internal struggles need to show. I’m thinking in the first act she can be dressed in all bright happy colors, loose clothing, maybe pants (scandalous!) because she’s young, she’s innocent, and she’s happy. But then she gets married to a guy old enough to be her father. She dresses plainly, puts her hair up, and like ages 10 years. She’s still and quiet. I’d like to see her jumping around in Act 1 a little once she realizes Carlo is her betrothed and not some random guy she needs to be polite around. Also she should be playful with Thibault. I see them as friends, though obviously she’s his superior so maybe there’s like an older sister vibe going on. And then in Act 2 it goes away and Thibault notices. Suddenly she’s not talking to him. He has to jump to get her attention. Or dramatically announce when people arrive.

Elizabeth also has to be super gay with the Countess. She’s there to help Elizabeth in Act 1 when they get ready to leave and hangs out with her in the garden before she sends her off with the others and they’re hugging when Elizabeth sings her good-bye.

Sometimes I wonder what all these people even see in Carlo, like why are so many people in love with him? He’s kinda the least interesting character. So he’s got to make up for that by being super sweet and endearing. Act 1 is all innocence. He’s so excited. And then he gets crushed and maybe he ages a little too. Wears clothes with less color. But he’s going to be really sweet and huggy with everyone, even Eboli, even after he rejects her. (In the play he keeps asking her to hug him.) Gives Thibault a high-five when he goes into the garden to meet Elizabeth. Grabs Rodrigo’s hand as they pass. And given he’s described as “hysterical” by so many sources, I feel like he should be moving around all the time. Wringing his hands, can’t sit still. Which is another reason he wants to hold people all the time. He needs and anchor. (Rodrigo’s the only one who’s able to stick around and do that for him.) And then that’ll contrast with the very end, when he’s suddenly frozen when the specter takes him away.

So this is all me and then the actors come around and are like “Nah we’re gonna do it like this” and then we fight. With the prop swords.

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