I enjoyed it enough that I went to see it in person when it returned in 2013. What I remember most – other than the heat of the flames during the burning of the heretics – was the devastating performance by Ferruccio Furlanetto. Don Carlo is such a sad opera on so many levels, but the most unexpectedly devastating figure for me is King Philip. Despite his power, he is profoundly alone. He truly loves Elisabetta, and is finally acknowledging that it will always be unrequited. Furlanetto truly brought out the pathos of the king during that scene that sticks with me to this day.

John Ryan

John Ryan, known on Parterre Box as H_Badger, is a Pittsburgh-based statistician whose love of opera began early - his mother took him to Madama Butterfly, and by seventh grade he was in the boys’ chorus for Tosca. After a long day of crunching data, he enjoys walking his dog, joining Parterre Box live chats, and any theater seat in New York City that has ample leg room.

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