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Ernani

"Great Performances at the Metropolitan Opera"

Verdi's early masterpiece is based on a Victor Hugo play with a complicated plot concerning a young woman and the three men vying for her affections—her elderly uncle, a king destined to become Holy Roman Emperor, and a bandit who is actually an overthrown nobleman. Though there is plenty of action arising from the various passions and grudges scattered among these characters, the opera is best appreciated as a feast of beautiful and dramatic Italianate singing. With virtuosic roles for a quartet of principals, the opera delivers one feat of heroic vocalism after another.

Top Cast

  • Luciano Pavarotti

    Luciano Pavarotti

    Ernani

  • Leona Mitchell

    Leona Mitchell

    Donna Elvira

  • Sherrill Milnes

    Sherrill Milnes

    Don Carlos

  • Ruggero Raimondi

    Ruggero Raimondi

    Don Ruy Gómez de Silva

  • Charles Anthony

    Charles Anthony

    Don Riccardo

  • Richard Vernon

    Richard Vernon

    Jago

  • Jean Kraft

    Jean Kraft

    Giovanna

  • MET Orchestra

    MET Orchestra

    Orchestra

Overview

Verdi's early masterpiece is based on a Victor Hugo play with a complicated plot concerning a young woman and the three men vying for her affections—her elderly uncle, a king destined to become Holy Roman Emperor, and a bandit who is actually an overthrown nobleman. Though there is plenty of action arising from the various passions and grudges scattered among these characters, the opera is best appreciated as a feast of beautiful and dramatic Italianate singing. With virtuosic roles for a quartet of principals, the opera delivers one feat of heroic vocalism after another.

Rating

10.0 / 10
1 Reviews
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