(Credit: Paula Malone) In 1856, the 18-year-old Georges Bizet won joint first prize in a competition for an opéra comique to be played at Offenbach’s theatre, the Bouffes-Parisienes, with a one act operetta, “Doctor Miracle.” The work was premiered in 1857, received 11 performances, and was then forgotten until it was revived in 1951. Lasting around one hour, with a {…}
If stuffy audiences at the Opéra-Comique first attacked George Bizet’s “Carmen” for its offensive content, today the opera runs the risk of seeming antiquated. Much of the music might get your toes tapping, but over-exposure risks making the most popular tunes seem trite or even parodic. Today’s audiences might not appreciate the orientalist take on Spanish culture that was so {…}
Opera composers are among the most admired artists of all time. All of them had unique personalities and letters and quotes gathered throughout the years have illuminated us about who they were and how they thoughts. So for this week’s quiz we will take a look at some of the iconic quotes from some of those great composers. Some quotes {…}
(Photo credit: Khalid AlBusaidi / ROHM) This review is for performances on Sept. 11 and 14, 2019. Writing a review after an initial performance of any run is a challenging proposition. You are essentially recording your views on a first impression without really getting a chance to see the full picture. There are many reasons why this is the case, {…}
Every year, the Glow Lyric Theatre does something that few other opera or musical theatres companies are willing to do – embrace the distinct art forms as siblings and celebrate their unique differences and similarities. For several years the company has put on three shows in its summer season: an opera, an operetta, and a piece of musical theatre. But {…}
Mercury Opera is set to showcase Bizet’s “Carmen” in five different locations across Alberta, Canada this August. The opera will star Puerto Rican mezzo Laura Virella with Boris Derow and Jeffrey Strand alternating as Don José and El Dancairo. Jorge Luis Trabanco will be Escamillo. Other cast members include Elise Noyes, Dacia Gramlick, Sandra Flores Strand, Martin Galba, Alia Amad, {…}
(Credit: James Bellorini Photography) Over 1,000 students appeared in the largest staging of Bizet’s “Carmen” in the United Kingdom. The showcase, which took place on June 26, 2019, brought together 35 schools nationwide at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park. The performance was staged and directed by the English Pocket Opera and featured four professional singers and a {…}
(Credit: Bill Cooper / Royal Opera House) The Royal Opera House will live stream the July 2, 2019 performance of Bizet’s “Carmen” via the company’s Facebook and YouTube pages. The showcase is part of BP Big Screens, which allows audiences in the UK the opportunity to experience culture for free. The performance on July 2 will feature Aigul Akhmetshina in {…}
(Credit: Bill Cooper / Royal Opera House) The Royal Opera House has announced a cast change for its upcoming production of “Carmen.” Tenor Arsen Soghomonyan has withdrawn from the role of Don José on July 16 and 20 and will be replaced by Arnold Rutkowski in his Royal Opera debut. Per a press release, Soghomonyan has withdrawn due to personal {…}
Bizet’s “Carmen” will be presented by PBS as part of its Great Performances from the Metropolitan Opera on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at 12 p.m. (those in New York will see the broadcast at 1 p.m.). The opera features Clémentine Margaine in a role that she has dominated around the world. She is joined by Roberto Alagna, one of the {…}
“Les Pêcheurs de Perles” is but one of two operas by Bizet regularly performed. And even still, this work is heavily overshadowed by “Carmen,” one of the great classics of the repertory. Written by the young 26-year-old Bizet, the work features an inspiring atmospheric score with a deep taste of exoticism and mysticism; it is incredible how Bizet, who had {…}