The roles / Giuseppe Verdi

King
Philip II

Don Carlos / Don Carlo

Two versions of Verdi’s opera. A growing record of performances, images, and films devoted to the King.

01 / On film

Performance films

Performance excerpts of King Philip II onstage.

King Philip II · performance excerpt

King Philip II · stage performance

02 / Performance record

Where I’ve sung King Philip II

2025

Don Carlos

Paris Opera · Opéra Bastille

French-language, five-act version
Role: Philippe II / King Philip II

View production ↗

2026

Don Carlo

The Dallas Opera · Winspear Opera House

Italian-language, four-act 1884 Milan version
Role: Philip II / King Philip II

View production ↗

03 / In the press

Critical voices

“Le Philippe II de Christian Van Horn est impressionnant.”

English translationChristian Van Horn’s Philip II is impressive.

Paris, 2025 · ClassiqueNews ↗

“parvient à insuffler une belle fragilité au rôle”

English translationHe brings a beautiful vulnerability to the role.

Paris, 2025 · ForumOpera ↗

“Véritable moment de théâtre vocal”

English translationA true moment of vocal theater.

Paris, 2025 · Classykêo ↗

“A force to behold.”

Dallas, 2026 · Parterre Box ↗

“Christian Van Horn’s portrayal of Philip II was particularly effective”

Dallas, 2026 · Texas Classical Review ↗

“a dramatically textured portrayal of a monarch torn in several directions”

Dallas, 2026 · Onstage NTX ↗

04 / Artist’s note

Inside the role

Christian’s reflections on singing King Philip II are coming soon

05 / On stage

Production images

Scenes from the Paris Opera and The Dallas Opera.

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II in Don Carlos at Paris Opera, 2025 — King Philip II · *Don Carlos* · Paris Opera, 2025

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II reaching across the stage in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II embracing a fellow performer in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II standing onstage in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II in a close-up onstage in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II with the cast onstage in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II in a scene with another performer in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

Christian Van Horn as King Philip II in a close scene with another performer in Don Carlo at The Dallas Opera, 2026 — King Philip II · *Don Carlo* · The Dallas Opera, 2026

06 / Recordings

The voice of Philip

Selected recordings coming soon

Audio tracks

Explore further

More from the stage

Photographs, press, and other roles.

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