Opera Review: 'Don Carlos': A Sweeping Canvas of 16th-Century SpainCHICAGO—"Don Carlos" is considered by many opera lovers to be Verdi's greatest work, and for good reason. In this opera, the legendary Italian composer, always the moral realist, psychoanalyzes larger-than-life characters exposing their motivations, and delves into the conflict between their personal responsibility and societal expectations.
Verdi juxtaposes politics, history, and personal drama, as well as offering a sweeping canvas of 16th-century Spain that makes "Don Carlos" the most powerful and profound of all his operas.
The themes in "Don Carlos" revolve around love versus duty, the conflict between a father and son, vengeance for spurned love, frustrated ambition, and all of these emotional issues are interwoven into a country's fight for independence, a theme which greatly appealed to Verdi, who was a big supporter of Italy's independence....
Source: Opera Review: 'Don Carlos': A Sweeping Canvas of 16th-Century Spain (https://www.theepochtimes.com/opera-review-don-carlos-a-sweeping-canvas-of-16th-century-spain_4860098.html)