Horáková Joly shows episodes from Ernani's life: Memories, delusions or nightmares that gradually reveal Ernani's true identity. Modestas Pitrenas will conduct Verdi's rarely performed early work, which thrives on large choral scenes, impressive ensembles and beautiful arias.
In his early and extremely successful opera Ernani, Giuseppe Verdi tells the story of the Duke of Aragon, Ernani, who, under a false identity, seeks revenge on the Spanish King Don Carlos for the death of his father and rebels against him. He is also in love with Elvira, but she is promised to someone else. When it turns out that the king also wants to marry Elvira, Ernani finds himself in a personal and political mess that can only end tragically. Based on a key work of French Romanticism, Victor Hugo's Hernani, Verdi's work shifts the focus of the narrative from the political power struggle to the situation of the individuals: Ernani's adherence to his personal history, identity and goals is at the heart of the opera.
Barbora Horáková Joly, who directed Giovanna d'Arco at the 2022 Festival, stages this opera about a young, traumatized outsider who has found it impossible to allow love in his life. The production interweaves monologues by Belgian author Peter Verhelst with Francesco Maria Piave's libretto and creates a new, mysterious character who accompanies Ernani on his journey through his dark thoughts.
Premiere January 20, 2024
Further performances: January 28 and 31, February 4, 9, 19 and 22, March 3, 10, 12 and 21 and April 19, 2024
