Verdi
Ernani
2–13 February 2021Verdi
Ernani
2–13 February 2021This event has finished. See what's on.
Venue
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney
Language
Sung in Italian, with English surtitles
Running time
approximately 2 hours & 30 minutes, including one interval
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Duty! Youth! Honour! Beauty!
Ernani is an outlaw, ready to fight for his honour and die for his ideals. But our hero is caught in a love quadrangle. Can he win the hand of the beautiful Elvira, who is already promised to her elderly uncle de Silva and coveted by the King of Spain?
This opera has intrigue, disguise, betrayal and adventure, like all the best medieval tales. Love can triumph over almost anything, but in this story with a surprising ending, honour has the final say.
Ernani was Verdi’s fifth opera. Seventy years after its premiere, it became the first complete opera ever recorded. That’s testament to the rousing music. You’ll hear all the composer’s trademark colours on display: passionate choruses, emotional arias and flawless ensemble writing.
In this co-production with La Scala, director Sven-Eric Bechtolf embraces the melodrama of the story and creates a play within a play. It’s an excuse for lavish period costumes, masks and headdresses.
Verdi specialist Renato Palumbo conducts the stunning score. We’ve assembled an exciting cast, led by Diego Torre as the brave Ernani and Natalie Aroyan as Elvira. Baritone Vladimir Stoyanov sings the role of the King of Spain, with Vitalij Kowaljow as Elvira’s Uncle.
Co-production by Teatro alla Scala and Opera Australia.
Cast & Creative
Conductor
Director
Revival Director
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Video Designer
Assistant Director
Ernani
Don Carlo, King of Spain
Don Ruy Gomez de Silva
Elvira
Giovanna
Don Riccardo
Jago
Opera Australia Orchestra & Opera Australia Chorus
Cheat Sheet: Ernani
Everything you need to know about this medieval melodrama.
What happens in the story? Who was the composer? What should I expect from the music? Here’s everything you need to know…
Page to Stage: Ernani
See the spectacular designs for Verdi's masterpiece come to life.
Costume designer Kevin Pollard and scenic designer Julian Crouch pull out all the stops in our epic co-production with La Scala.
The Story
Elvira is young, beautiful, and promised to her elderly uncle Silva in marriage. But she is in love with the brave outlaw, Ernani. They plan to elope. To complicate matters, the King of Spain, Don Carlo, is also in love with Elvira. Oh, and Ernani is plotting to kill the King, whose father killed his father.
Ernani arrives at the castle in disguise, fleeing from the King, who has discovered his plot…
In a world where a man would rather die than lose his honour, can anyone find their happily ever after?
Duty! Youth! Honour! Beauty!
Part 1: The outlaw
Spain, 1519
Ernani was once a nobleman, but now leads a band of outlaws in the mountains of Aragon.
He tells the men of his great love for the beautiful Elvira, and his plan to save her from an impending marriage to her uncle and guardian, Don Ruy Gómez de Silva.
While Elvira waits for her lover, Don Carlo, King of Spain arrives to see her. He tells her he loves her, but tries to abduct her by force. Elvira resists and Ernani enters.
The King recognises and taunts Ernani, and the two men prepare to duel, but Silva arrives.
He is outraged to discover two men in his fiancée’s chamber and challenges them both.
Carlo’s squire arrives and Silva realises he has threatened the King. He asks for forgiveness, and Carlo grants it, as he needs Silva’s support in the upcoming imperial election.
Part 2: The guest
Wedding preparations are underway at Silva’s castle. Ernani arrives in disguise, and Silva offers the pilgrim hospitality.
When he discovers his guest with Elvira, he is angry and plans his vengeance. However, when the King arrives seeking his enemy Ernani, Silva is bound by his vow of hospitality to conceal him. Silva offers his own life as forfeit. When Elvira begs for mercy, the King takes Elvira hostage.
Silva challenges Ernani to a duel, but is distracted when he discovers Carlo desires Elvira in marriage.
Silva and Ernani agree to conspire against the King, and Ernani offers Silva his life in gratitude. He hands the old man a hunting horn, and says when he hears it sound, he will take his own life.
Part 3: The Pardon
Aachen, Germany
At Charlemagne’s tomb, Carlo awaits the result of the imperial election. He vows to be a noble, wise ruler if he is chosen.
Silva, Ernani and their men draw lots to decide who will kill Carlo. Ernani is chosen. Silva offers him his life in return for ceding the right to kill the King, but Ernani refuses.
A cannon shot sounds, signifying Carlo has been chosen as Holy Roman Emperor.
Carlo emerges from the tomb and demands the rebels are punished — the nobles will be executed and the commoners imprisoned. Ernani reveals his identity, but Elvira pleads for clemency.
The new emperor agrees to spare their lives, and to allow Ernani and Elvira to marry.
Part 4: The Mask
Saragossa, Spain
Ernani and Elvira are celebrating their wedding. The servants discuss a masked, cloaked man who is wandering around.
A horn sounds. Ernani sends Elvira away, and Silva enters, removing his mask and demanding Ernani fulfil the terms of their pact.
Elvira returns, and begs the old man to have mercy. Silva will not yield. Ernani has no choice: he takes a dagger and stabs himself.
Enjoy dinner before the opera
Overture Dining at Sydney Opera House
Allow us to make your dinner reservation for you: at Overture Dining in the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. You’ll be served a themed three-course menu for just $75.
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton
Ernani at Sydney Opera House (2021)
Photo: Prudence Upton