In July and August 2017, the Italian mezzo-soprano Annalisa Stroppa will sing the role of Bizet’s “Carmen” in Kasper Holten’s new production.

The opera will be conducted by Paolo Carignani and Jordan de Souza at the floating stage.

Regarding her portrayal of Carmen, Stroppa noted, “Carmen is an exceptionally multifaceted role. She is strong, charismatic and determined, and at the same time profound, sensitive and fragile. The role gets under one’s skin and is very challenging emotionally. I don’t want to portray a stereotype of this fascinating character. For me, Carmen is rather an extremely modern woman, who is always faithful to her ideals of freedom and who even sacrifices herself for her freedom than an easygoing gypsy, who is never in love for more than six months.” In a recent interview with OperaWire she also noted, “To sing her is to sing about four or five roles in one. She is so rich and profound and in this role, you find so many different kinds of singing that reveal her different emotions.”

Stroppa made her role debut in Bizet’s opera in 2012 in Italy at the Teatro Sociale of Trento and in 2014 she performed the part in a new production in France at the Limoges Opera House. She is slated to open the Teatro alla Scala in Giordano’s “Andrea Chenier.”

Founded in 1946, the Bregenz Festival presents a wide variety of musical and theatrical events in several venues, among them the floating stage, a 7.000 seat open-air amphitheatre located on a stage over water on the shores of Lake Constance. The festival runs from July 19 to August 20.