Don Carlo
Social Studies Lesson
Focus: The Spanish Inquisition, and how it relates to the events in Don Carlo.
TEKS:
Social Studies, Grade 6: 1A
High School World History: 1C, 4E, 23B
Objectives:
1. The students will explain the relevance of religious influence on events in the Spanish
Inquisition.
2. The student will describe interactions between people of different religions during the
Spanish Inquisition in societies in Europe.
Materials Needed:
Summary of Don Carlo
Internet access and visual/audio projection system
Background Information:
Inquisition refers to the Roman Catholic Church’s fight against heresy. It began in the 12
Century in France. In 1477 the queen of Spain, Queen Isabella, was convinced that some
converted Jews were secretly still practicing Judaism. All Jews and Muslims were ordered to
convert or leave.
Convicted heretics would be handed over to government authorities for punishment that was
decided by the Church. Punishments included death by burning, although imprisonment for life
or banishment would usually be used.
When the Spanish Inquisition decided a punishment, there was a ritual of public penance of
condemned heretics called auto-da-fé. In medieval Spanish “auto de fe” means “act of faith”.
Because the execution following the penance was more memorable, auto-da-fé was associated
with the punishment rather than the penance.
The last known execution by the Inquisition occurred in 1826. A Royal Decree abolished the
Spanish Inquisition in 1834. It is estimated that approximately 150,000 people were processed
by the Inquisition, and between 3,000 and 5,000 were executed. (It is estimated that over
60,000 Europeans were executed for “witchcraft” during the same time span as the Inquisition.)
Don Carlo
Social Studies
Setting the Stage:
Verdi’s opera, Don Carlo, takes place in Spain during the Inquisition. In Act II, an auto-da-fé
occurs in front of Valladolid Cathedral, and a group of heretics are led to the stake, followed by
a celestial voice welcoming their souls into heaven. In a following scene, King Phillip II consults
with the Grand Inquisitor, consenting to the death sentence of Carlo and Posa. Phillip wonders
if the throne must always yield to the altar.
Teaching Suggestions:
The students will:
1. Read and listen to the summary about Don Carlo.
2. Read the background information about the Inquisition.
3. Watch the auto-da-fé scene from Don Carlo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZDfRKP0H9k
Reflection:
1. Why did the Inquisition begin? Why do you think it persisted for so long?
2. What did the secular (non-religious) leaders have to gain for supporting the Inquisition?
3. Does anything like auto-da-fé exist in modern society?
Extension Activities:
Attend Austin Lyric Opera’s production of Don Carlo at The Long Center for the Performing Arts
on November 16, November 21, or November 24, 2013. Compare and contrast the experience
of watching an excerpt online to watching the entire story in person.
Was it what you expected?
What was your favorite part?
What would you have done differently if you were the director?
Why was the auto-da-fé scene important?
Additional Resources:
Watch a scene from the operetta, Candide, “What a Day (for an Auto-da-fe),” which spoofs the
public spectacle of auto-da-fé:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbTaD2C08xU
On a light note, watch a sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, “Nobody Expects the Spanish
Inquisition.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixgc_FGam3s&feature=youtu.be
Don Carlo
Synopsis
The story of Don Carlo is based upon the life of Carlos, Prince of Asturias (1545 – 1568). Carlos
was betrothed to Elizabeth of Valois (1545 – 1568), the daughter of France’s King Henry II. For
political reasons, Elizabeth was ultimately married to Carlos’ father, Philip II of Spain.
Synopsis courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera
Act I
Carlo seeks peace at the monastery of St. Just in Spain, where he prays at the tomb of his
grandfather, Emperor Charles V. He is confronted by a monk who seems to be the emperor’s
ghost. His friend Rodrigo, the Marquis of Posa, arrives to remind Carlo of his commitment to
the cause of the Flemish people who are oppressed by Spanish rule. Both pledge themselves to
the cause of liberty and swear eternal friendship (Duet: “Dio, che nell’alma infondere amor”).
In a garden outside the monastery, Princess Eboli entertains the other ladies of the court
with a song (“Nel giardin del bello”). Elisabeth—now queen—enters, followed by Posa, who
hands her a secret letter from Carlo, asking for a meeting. When he is admitted, Carlo asks the
queen to obtain Philip’s permission for him to go to Flanders, and then suddenly declares his
continuing love. Elisabeth rejects him and Carlo rushes off. The king enters and, finding the
queen unattended, banishes the Countess of Aremberg, who should have been present.
Left alone with the king, Posa bravely asks Philip to end his oppression of the Flemish
people. Philip refuses but is impressed by Posa’s courage. He warns him to beware of the
Inquisition and tells Posa about his suspicions of his wife and Carlo, asking Posa to watch them.
Posa accepts the assignment, knowing that being in the king’s confidence will help him in the
future.
Act II
Carlo has received a letter asking him to a secret meeting at midnight in the queen’s
gardens in Madrid. He thinks the meeting is with Elisabeth, but in fact the woman is Princess
Eboli, who is in love with him. When Carlo discovers her identity, he rejects her. Eboli, realizing
where the prince’s true feelings lie, swears to expose him. Posa arrives in time to overhear Eboli
and threatens to kill her but is stopped by Carlo. Eboli leaves. Posa persuades Carlo he is now in
danger and Carlo hands over some secret papers to him for safekeeping.
At a public burning of heretics in front of Valladolid Cathedral, Carlo leads a group of
Flemish deputies to Philip. The king rejects their pleas for freedom. When he also dismisses
Carlo’s own request to rule Flanders, the prince draws his sword on his father. He is disarmed
by Posa and arrested. In thanks, Philip makes Posa a duke. As a group of heretics is led to the
stake, a celestial voice welcomes their souls into heaven.
Don Carlo
Synopsis
Act III
In his study at night, the king reflects on his life with a wife who doesn’t love him (“Ella
giammai m’amò!”). He consults with the old and blind Grand Inquisitor, who consents to the death
sentence for Carlo: as God sacrificed his son to save mankind so Philip must stifle his love for his
son for the sake of the faith. The Inquisitor also demands that Posa be handed over to him. As he
leaves, Philip wonders if the throne must always yield to the altar. Elisabeth enters, having
discovered that her jewel case has been stolen. Eboli, who knows that Elisabeth keeps a portrait of
Carlo in it, had taken the box and given it to the king. Philip now hands it to Elisabeth and demands
she open it. When she hesitates, he breaks it open and finds the portrait. He accuses her of adultery.
Elisabeth collapses and the king calls for help. Eboli and Posa rush in, he to express amazement that
a king who rules half the world cannot govern his own emotions, she to feel remorse at what her
jealousy has brought about. Alone with Elisabeth, Eboli confesses that she not only falsely accused
her but that she has been the king’s mistress. Elisabeth orders her from the court. Eboli laments her
fatal beauty and swears to spend her final day in Spain trying to save Carlo (“O don fatale”).
Posa visits Carlo in prison to tell him that he has used the secret papers to take upon himself
the blame for the Flemish rebellion. He is now a marked man, so Carlo must take up the cause of
liberty for Flanders. Posa is shot by agents of the Inquisition. As he dies he tells Carlo that Elisabeth
will meet him at the monastery of St. Just and declares he is happy to have sacrificed his life for a
man who will become Spain’s savior (“Per me giunto è il dì supremo”).
Act IV
Elisabeth has come to the monastery, wanting only her own death (“Tu, che le vanità”).
When Carlo appears, she encourages him to continue Posa’s quest for freedom in Flanders and they
hope for happiness in the next world. As they say goodbye, Philip and the Grand Inquisitor arrive.
As the agents of the Inquisition move in on Carlo, a monk who resembles Charles V appears
insisting that suffering is unavoidable and ceases only in heaven.