Opera Australia: Ernani

Venue: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
Conductor: Renato Palumbo
Director: Sven-Eric Bechtolf
Revival Director: Laura Galmarini
Assistant Director: Priscilla Jackman
Set Design: Julian Crouch
Costume Designer: Kevin Pollard
Video Design: Filippo Marta
Lighting Designer: Marco Filibeck
Photographer: Phil Erbacher
With: Diego Torre, Vladimir Stoyanov, Vitalij Kowaljow, Natalie Aroyan,
Jennifer Black, Dimon Kim, Luke Gabbedy

Date: February 2021

About the project:

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 surprisingending, 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.

CO-PRODUCTION BY TEATRO ALLA SCALA AND OPERA AUSTRALIA.