“A hit parade” Göteborgs-Posten
“Opera at the highest level” Dagens Nyheter
“Katarina Giotas is utterly sensational” Aftonbladet
“Perfect for audiences [trying] opera for the first time” SR Kulturnytt
“This experience is not to be missed!” (Operawire)
“It is not enough to describe in words how fantastic everyone is on stage, working together and openly ENJOYING their work.” (Operawire)
Carmen is independence and passion personified – she is wild, fearless and all-consuming. When she begins a relationship with the dutiful Don José, she awakens dangerous passions within him. He becomes a man possessed, abandoning everything to follow her. But he has difficulty accepting her as she is. Carmen tires of his jealousy and quickly moves on to the next man, never willing to compromise her independence.
The title role is played by Katarina Giotas. Joachim Bäckström and Adam Frandsen alternate as her bewitched lover Don José. The self-assured bullfighter Escamillo, played by Luthando Qave, sweeps us away with the Toreador Song, while Matilda Sterby delights in the role of José’s childhood love, the sweet Micaëla. The Göteborg Opera’s Principal Guest Conductor Aivis Greters will help set the melodic, dramatic music alight – and three of the performances will be conducted by Martyna Szymczak, our new assistant conductor.
This production was created by Sir David McVicar for Glyndebourne in 2002.
