André HEYBOER Ernani in Buxton (reviews)
Debuts in the UK for André Heyboer at Buxton International Festival as Don Carlo in Verdi’s Ernani
July 2024
French baritone André Heyboer took the role of Don Carlo, the king of Spain who desired to be elected as the Holy Roman Emperor. Initially Carlo was in disguise as a peasant with Heyboer’s voice and acting prowess creating a fiery, ruthless character not to be trusted. From Act III, at Charlemagne’s tomb, Carlo with his aria Gran Dio!… Oh, de’ verd’ anni miei swore to alter his life and become virtuous if crowned Emperor. In striking voice Heyboer sang with committed expression that made Carlo, promising to be a changed man, sound believable.
Baritone André Heyboer cuts a Scarpia-like figure as the conflicted king, Don Carlo: his granite-hewn “O sommo Carlo” is especially striking.
André Heyboer is an imposing Don Carlo, later Charles V, a Mussolini like shemer, who seeks the mantle of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, but when elected turns into a model of clemency and is persuaded by Elvira to release Ernani.