Conductor Louis Langrée once explained the ‘Opéra-Comique’ in these terms: “The Opéra-Comique comes from fairground theater, which is its strength.” Looking at the company’s many successes in bringing great operas into its repertoire—“Pelléas etMélisande,” “Mignon,” “Manon Lescaut”—, it seems that Langrée is right. “Carmen,” however, would at first appear to be a bit different. It is, by far, the most {…}
Paris Opera’s “Carmen” staging was sold as the same production staged last November, yet everything was different. Adding one or two gestures here and there can almost completely change the characters’ psychology. Calixto Bieito’s staging remains impressive and provocative. He emphasizes the importance of true meaning to the detriment of the exploitation of empty forms. The impact of such a {…}
Films based on opera often feel inadequate. They are frequently an attempt to introduce reality into art, and this concept is flawed. Directors fail to realize that what it should be is the other way around: bringing art into reality, making opera about human beings and their everyday trials. Luckily, some directors do know what they’re doing, and Italian director {…}
The Royal Opera House has announced additional online programming available for audiences to stream during the holidays. Subscribers of Royal Opera House Stream can enjoy access to two different versions of Bizet’s “Carmen.” The first is directed by Barrie Kosky and conducted by Jakub Hrusa, featuring Russian mezzo Anna Goryachova in a staging which includes rarely-heard music omitted by Bizet. {…}
Ensemble Clavecin will join forces with Ensemble Cochléa to present a Christmas Concert at the Crypt of St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montréal. Scheduled for Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m., the showcase will feature baritone Hugo Laporte and mezzo-soprano Rose Naggar-Tremblay as they present old French hymns and Christmas songs from different countries. Audiences will hear music from such composers as {…}
This review is based on performances on Nov. 15 & 18, 2022. In every opera house, there is always an informal smoker’s meeting outside in the entr’acte. It is the best place to “feel the mood” of how an opera performance is being received. Hence, I am there solely for journalistic reasons, and nothing more. On this occasion, I went {…}
The Calgary Opera is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen” on November 19, 23 and 25, 2022 at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. “Carmen” will feature Tunisian-Canadian rising star Rihab Chaieb, Panamanian-American baritone Nmon Ford, Canadian tenor David Pomeroy, members of the Cantaré Children’s Choir, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and the McPhee Artists of the Calgary Opera. Mark Morash conducts with {…}
Photos: Erin Baiano If you were to walk down a street, stop a stranger, and ask if they’ve heard of the opera “Carmen,” more than likely, many would say yes. Ask the follow-up question: What’s it about? There may be some head scratching and faces scrunched in concentration as they try to recall … “Bullfighter.” Whether it was in an opera {…}
The Jerusalem Lyric Opera Festival has announced its 2023 Festival lineup, featuring works beloved by opera-goers. The Festival will run July 4-25, 2023. The Jerusalem International Opera Competition kicks off the season in July. Favorite arias are on tap as singers compete before a jury comprising conductors, singers, and casting directors from several of the world’s top opera houses. Performance {…}
Vancouver Opera has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “The Pearl Fishers.” The opera announced that Aaron Blake will be joining the cast in the role of Nadir, replacing Long Long who was originally cast. Blake performs alongside Phillip Addis, Miriam Khalil, and Vartan Gabrielian. Kamna Gupta conducts the production. Rachel Peake directs. “Our original singer portraying {…}
Mastervoices is set to present the original version of Bizet’s “Carmen” with Jazz at Lincoln Center on Oct. 25, 2022. The opera will feature dialogue instead of recitative with an English translation by Sheldon Harnick. Mezzo Ginger Costa-Jackson, Terrence Chin-Loy, Mikaela Bennett, and John Brancy star in the production. Other cast members include Nicole Fernandez-Coffaro, Kimberly Sogioka, Zhengyi Bai, Michael {…}