Opera Australia will perform one of the world’s most loved operas, Bizet’s Carmen, at the Pilbeam Theatre in July.
In Bizet’s famous opera, Carmen is the femme fatale you can’t forget. She sings her sensual Habanera and lures Don José into her world. He gives up everything to follow her. But Carmen’s wandering eye has already found a new lover: the dashing bullfighter Escamillo. Don José’s jealousy is fierce. Escamillo’s passion is strong. In a gripping finale, Carmen must face her fate.
Theatregoers will experience the thrilling Spanish colour and rhythms of Bizet’s vibrant score with Opera Australia’s singers, live chamber orchestra and a children’s chorus drawn from the Central Queensland community.
This new production includes gorgeous sets and vintage-inspired costumes. You can hear classics such as the Habanera and the Toreador Song just as Bizet meant them — loud, live and completely unamplified.
Carmen is directed by Matthew Barclay.
“I’m really excited to create this production of Carmen, and aware that for some people it may be their first encounter with Bizet’s opera, and for that reason I really hope the production enables them to fall in love with the work,” he said.
“Carmen really has it all, some of opera’s greatest music and most famous tunes, Spanish flair, passion, tragedy and a truly enigmatic character in Carmen, but above all it’s about love. It’s the ideal way to showcase world-class opera on stages around Australia.”
Set in Seville in Franco’s socially conservative 1960’s Spain, the opera follows the ill-fated relationship of a free spirited gypsy woman, Carmen, and the passionate and ultimately destructive police corporal-turned-rebel Don Jose.
Carmen is sung in French with English surtitles.
Opera Australia’s Carmen is presented by Rockhampton Regional Council and is part of the 2021 See It Live Theatre Season.
