Ernani

1983, Italian. Directed by Kirk Browning & Pier Luigi Samaritani.

Great Performances at the Metropolitan Opera

Verdi's early masterpiece is based on a Victor Hugo play with a complicated plot concerning a young woman and the three men vying for her affections—her elderly uncle, a king destined to become Holy Roman Emperor, and a bandit who is actually an overthrown nobleman. Though there is plenty of action arising from the various passions and grudges scattered among these characters, the opera is best appreciated as a feast of beautiful and dramatic Italianate singing. With virtuosic roles for a quartet of principals, the opera delivers one feat of heroic vocalism after another.

Runtime

2h 20m

Post-credits

None listed

Language

Italian

Rated

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