High Praise for Leonardo Capalbo as Don Carlo
Leonardo Capalbo impressed audiences and critics in his role debut as Don Carlo at Grange Park Opera.
Leonardo Capalbo as Don Carlo. Photo by Robert Workman.
“Passionate and richly coloured in the title role.”
-Yehuda Shapiro, The Stage, June 2019
“[Leonardo Capalbo] is supremely at ease, vocally and dramatically. Capalbo’s interpretation makes Don Carlo a believable character: a young man who, through errors and reflection, eventually matures. Full command of his voice is such that it rings with the exuberance of youth written into the role by Verdi and his librettists, while the contrast of colour in certain scenes – such as Posa’s death or the farewell from Elisabetta – is beautifully and movingly rendered.”
-Valeria Vescina, Seen and Heard, June 2019
Leonardo Capalbo as Don Carlo and Marina Costa-Jackson as Elizabetta. Photo by Robert Workman.
“In the Act 4 duet with Elisabetta, when Carlo has finally overcome his childish, petulant nature to become truly heroic, [Capalbo] was singing with warmth to add to that strength and to his smooth phrasing.”
-David Karlin, Bachtrack, June 2019
“This power-packed performance by Leonardo Capalbo has everything you want from an Italian tenor – elegant notes and phrasing, a really focused drive forwards and dashing appearance.”
-Claudia Pritchard, Culture Whisper, June 2019
“Leonardo Capalbo ran on, vividly emoting and we were in no doubt as to this Don Carlo's youth, humanity and sheer personal intensity. There was no doubting his commitment and the vibrancy of his performance, as he obsessed over Elisabetta. Capalbo brought a nice intensity to his quiet singing, particularly in the tense Act Two scene with Elisabetta, and by Act Three he was a changed man. Central to Capalbo's performance was the journey that Don Carlo goes on, this strutting peacock of a man learns control and balance, so that his final scene with Elisabetta was moving indeed for the understated nature of their pair's emotions, their control and maturity.”