Lyric Opera 2022-2023 Issue 4- Don Carlos

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 22 Additional support is provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Production Circle. Lyric Opera of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the support of the NIB Foundation Italian Opera Endowed Chair, the Mr.and Mrs.William H.Red eld Bel Canto Opera Endowed Chair,and the Guild Board of Directors Verdi Endowed Chair. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Of cial Airline,American Airlines. Additional Costumes provided by Seams Unlimited. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS Acts 1,2 & 3 2 hours Intermission 30 minutes Acts 4 & 5 1 hour 20 minutes Total 3 hours 50 minutes ACT I Against the wishes of his father, the Spanish king, Philippe II, Don Carlos has traveled to Fontainebleau, where negotiations are under way for a peace treaty between Spain and France. He has seen his intended bride Elisabeth, daughter of the French king, and fallen in love with her on sight. When he encounters Elisabeth and her page, who have been hunting and become lost in the forest, Carlos offers his protection without revealing his identity. Elisabeth questions him about her future husband, apprehensive over her marriage to a stranger. Carlos gives her a miniature portrait of himself, and she realizes that he is the prince. It is clear to them both that their feelings of love are mutual. Their happiness ends with news that the treaty arrangements have been altered and Elisabeth is to marry Philippe. Elisabeth reluctantly accepts. While all around them celebrate the end of the war, Elisabeth and Carlos are devastated. ACT II Carlos seeks peace at the monastery of St. Just in Spain, where he prays at the tomb of his grandfather, Emperor Charles V. A monk, who seems to be the emperor’s ghost, confronts him. His friend Rodrigue, the Marquis of Posa, arrives to remind Carlos of his commitment to the cause of the Flemish people, who are oppressed by Spanish rule. Carlos confesses his love for the queen to Rodrigue, and pledging themselves to the cause of liberty, they swear eternal friendship. In a garden outside the monastery, Eboli entertains the other ladies of the court with a song. Elisabeth enters, followed by Rodrigue, who hands her a secret letter from Carlos asking for a meeting. When he is admitted, Carlos asks the queen to obtain Philippe’s permission for him to go to Flanders, then suddenly declares his continuing love. Elisabeth rejects him, and Carlos rushes off. The king enters and, nding the queen unattended, banishes the Countess of Aremberg, who should have been accompanying her. Left alone with the king, Rodrigue challenges Philippe to end his oppression of the Flemish people. Philippe refuses but is impressed by the Marquis’s courage. He warns him to beware of the Inquisition and tells him about his suspicions regarding his wife and Carlos, asking Rodrigue to watch them. The Marquis accepts the assignment, knowing that being in the king’s con dence will help him in the future. Presnting Sponsors: Julie & Roger Baskes Production Sponsors: An Anonymous Donor Alice & John Butler° H.Gael Neeson° Sylvia Neil & Daneil Fischel° Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation° Josef & Margot Lakonishok Sonia Florian The Julius Frankel Foundation ° Enrique Circle Members Synopsis TIME | c. 1560 PLACE | France and Spain