Carmen

by Georges Bizet

Opera Screening

An NCPA-The Metropolitan Opera (New York) Presentation

Georges Bizet was known as a brilliant student and prodigy, but his works only found lasting success after his untimely death—most notably through Carmen, which premiered three months before he died. The score of Carmen contains so many instantly recognisable tunes that it can be easy to overlook how well-constructed it is. The major solos are excellent combinations of arresting melody and dramatic purpose—from the baritone’s famous ‘Toreador Song’ to the tenor’s wrenching ‘Flower Song’ to the title character’s alluring ‘Habanera’ and ‘Seguidilla’. The duets and ensembles are equally beguiling. Acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell brings a vital new production of one of opera’s most enduringly powerful works, reinvigorating the classic story with a staging that moves the action to the modern day and finds, at the heart of the drama, issues that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labour structures and the desire to break through societal boundaries.

Conductor: Daniele Rustioni
Cast: Angel Blue, Aigul Akhmetshina, Piotr Beczała & Kyle Ketelsen

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