2026.12.03 — 2026.12.06 · Coming soon
Don Carlos (French version) — Seoul
Verdi’s Don Carlos premiered at the Paris Opéra in 1867. Drawn from Schiller’s play, it follows the Spanish prince Carlos, who falls for Élisabeth of Valois, the French princess promised to him, only for her to marry his father, King Philip II, under the peace treaty. The Korea National Opera makes it the last of its 2026 season productions, in the French five-act version Verdi first conceived, with conductor Valerio Galli and director Yannis Kokkos. Four performances run from 3 to 6 December 2026 at the Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater, each about 260 minutes. Tickets are KRW 50,000–180,000.
Don Carlos was written in French for the Paris Opéra in 1867; it is more often heard in Italian as Don Carlo, which Verdi also cut to four acts.
This staging uses the French five-act version he first conceived, regarded as a summit of 19th-century grand opera; in the 1867 rehearsals it ran so long that cuts were made so the audience could catch the last trains to the Paris suburbs.
Prince Carlos and the French princess Élisabeth fall in love at first sight, but a revised treaty makes her the queen of his father, Philip II.
His friend Rodrigue, fighting for the freedom of Spanish-ruled Flanders, pushes the prince to defy his father, and the king is left with only power and solitude; the company says the clash grows from private love into a struggle of state and ideals.
Conductor Valerio Galli first worked with the company on Attila in 2022; director Yannis Kokkos has staged Tristan und Isolde, Nabucco and Turandot on major stages around the world.
Philip II is shared by the Italian bass Riccardo Zanellato and Choi Woongjo, and Princess Eboli by Julie Robard-Gendre and Kim Hyona.
Checked · 2026-10-10
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Each performance runs about 260 minutes, starting at 5pm on weekdays.
Primary-school age and over only, with proof of age.
Surtitle languages are not announced.
Some roles alternate by performance.
The Opera Theater has fixed seats on four levels; GoWoah has no plan for it yet, and the Seoul Arts Center show page has the level plans.
Open official guide ↗Photos from this show come first; those from other shows may have a different stage and obstructions.
10 GoWoah points if accepted
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Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December 2026 at 5pm, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December at 3pm (Seoul time), each about 260 minutes.
Asia/SeoulSeoul Arts Center is at 2406 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul; the nearest subway station is Nambu Bus Terminal on Line 3.
Primary-school age and over (born 2019 or earlier); without proof of age, entry is refused even with a ticket and an adult. Concessions need proof when collecting tickets, or the difference is charged.
KRW 50,000–180,000
Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
Giuseppe Barberis and Carlo Cornaglia · Public domain Image source
Korea National Opera
A scene from the 1884 La Scala premiere of the four-act Don Carlo, painted by Giuseppe Barberis and Carlo Cornaglia; a public-domain image, not this production.
Information checked on 2026-10-10
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