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A sexually charged story of lust
and jealousy, taking place around Seville in the 1820s, the opera tells the tale of Carmencita, a Gyspy girl who originally
works at the cigarette factory, lusted after by men and viewed with contempt by
the women, Carmen seduces her way to the heart of a corporal stationed outside,
Don Jose. Eventually deserting the army, his previous love Micaela (Elena Dee),
and mother, he joins Carmen and her group of smugglers in the mountains.
Meanwhile Carmen has also caught the attention of the beloved toreador,
Escamillo (Racovita Petru). When confronted by Micaela, and knowing of the
playful nature between Escamillo and Carmen, Don Jose leaves. Later outside the
bullring, Don Jose stalks Carmen still wanting her, however Carmen has moved on
to Escamillo and returns the ring the ex-corporal had given her. Having lost
everything and driven near insane by passion and anger, Jose stabs Carmen,
killing her.
'Carmen', for my second opera, was
quite a contrast from Puccini’s 'Tosca'
the previous night, at nearly three hours (including the intervals), with four
acts, a large supporting cast of chorus singers, and with much more action.
Bizet’s music is wonderfully catchy and had me tapping my foot and waving my
finger along with the “Toreador Song” (the aria’s proper name is “Votre toast,
je peux vous le render”) as well as others in the audience, perhaps too much as
one member was audibly banging his foot on the back of some poor person’s seat.
Nevertheless, I was smiling with glee as Sproglis performed the “Habanera”, and
loved the little motifs each character brought with them. I loved Puccini’s
music for 'Tosca', but Bizet has the
edge for me with his music for 'Carmen'.
As with the previous night, the
costumes and set design were very lavish and they really added an extra touch of
luxury and panache. Novice theatregoer comment here, but I was amazed at how believable
each setting was despite using the same grand façade background as 'Tosca'. From
the very beginning I was there in the scene, at the cigarette factory, or the
exterior of the bullring, which the previous night had been the battlements of
the Castel Sant’Angelo. These operas are really making me appreciate the art of
the theatre a lot more than I previously had done.
Conducted again by Nicolae Dohotaru,
the orchestra sounded amazing coming from the pit and it really made me realise
how much I appreciate live accompaniment (again, novice theatregoer comment).
It’s also very interesting to hear the different styles of music, not to keep
comparing to Puccini, however Bizet’s music seemed almost flamboyant and had a
real flare that matched the charging of the story. I feel the music led the
story in parts, relying on motifs as mentioned earlier, and sudden crescendos
that changed the mood. Compare that with 'Tosca' where the music is in parts whimsical and dramatic, yes, but also there;s meandering in the background. The characters change the mood and steer the plot
so to speak. Even though it is only a 25 year period between the two operas,
and both are set within 10 years of each other, it’s an interesting difference
between the two composers and even audience tastes perhaps. 'Carmen' is, without making it sound like
a 'Carry On' film, very raunchy and
openly suggestive and in-your-face.
Simply put, 'Carmen' was fantastic, however I think if this was to be your first it
may possibly be a bit on the heavy side. After viewing one opera I’m somewhat
of an expert now, and found this to
be a great second foray into the art. It had everything, and was an
all-encompassing vicariously pleasurable experience which the audience
interacted and responded positively to. If you were wondering what to go and
see at the theatre, you
should without a doubt go and see this!
Reviewer - Daryl Griffin
on - 8.4.22
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