I put on a lot of operas while I’m painting, and often find myself having to put the brush down to give an aria the full attention it deserves; “O don fatale” is invariably on that list. And while Eboli has been sung by so many fantastic mezzos throughout the ages that a Don Carlo listener is always spoiled for choice— the resolve of Grace Bumbry, Christa Ludwig’s furor— I find I return to Shirley Verrett‘s performances of the role most frequently. With her expressive, melodic voice she renders the princess’ oscillation between guilt-stricken despair and determination with such precision that one can feel the anguish of her position in their bones. The open, skyward deliveries at the beginning and end of the aria as she addresses heaven! The mournful softness of her interceding “O mia Regina.”

(+ A plea to the odd reader who has made it thus far to consider a recommendation in addendum: before I began writing this, at least half an hour was spent debating whether it’d be better to send in Verrett’s Eboli or her Orfeo! Both are excellent. Please check out her poignant “”Che farò senza Euridice,”” if you haven’t already! I wear out the stone steps of that YouTube video with repeated pacing and it would be nice to see you there. Wait, /are/ you there? Hello? Maybe I should turn arou—)