Don Carlo (complete opera recorded in 2004)

"Decker's direction of the principals provides both intelligent insights into relationships along with many bêtises that surely go against the composer's intentions. …he certainly manages to get some revelatory performances from some of the singers, particularly from Villazón who enacts Carlos's neurotic, ill-adjusted personality more successfully than any tenor in my experience. That he sings the role with so much full-throated intensity and such arresting phraseology makes his portrayal something to treasure. ...virtually every respect... of the original French version is the one to have; there you sense the full value of Verdi's original and preferable thoughts in an intelligent, finely sung and directed performance." (Gramophone)

"[Chailly] has the measure of internal dynamicism within the work... Rolando Villazón delivers a forthright, anguished performance as Don Carlo...In terms of an all-round Don Carlo Villazón has all that could be desired, and demonstrates fine duet singing too." (MusicWeb)

"a fabulous summation of Chailly's qualities as a Verdi conductor… A wonderful piece of stagecraft"
(The Guardian)