Bizet's Carmen
Opera Brava's production of
Bizet's Carmen
SYNOPSIS
CARMEN lays claim to the title of 'The Most Popular Opera'. The music, full of extravagant melody and rich in operatic hits such as the Habanera and The Toreador’s Song, has captivated audiences over the decades.
A tale of passion between a young soldier and a fiery Gypsy girl, Opera Brava’s powerful production takes place in 1930’s Spain, is sung in English with a sensational Carmen and an international cast. This promises to be a compelling and unforgettable night which will leave you clamouring for more.
act i
In the town square soldiers relax in the sun. Micaela, a girl from Navarre, enters looking for Don Jose. Morales, a corporal explains that Jose is with another company who are due to take over the guard. She leaves promising to return soon. Jose and captain Zuniga enter just as the girls who work in the local cigarette factory come out for their afternoon break. Among them is the gypsy Carmen, who tells the assembled men that she will only love one who doesn’t make any demands on her. Only one man ignores her; Jose. Having chosen Jose as her next victim, Carmen throws a flower at him. Embarrassed, Jose picks up the flower and hides it. After the girls have returned to their work, Micaela returns to Jose with news from His mother. In a letter she forgives Jose his crimes and asks that he returns and marries Micaela. No sooner has she left than a commotion breaks out in the factory. Carmen, in a quarrel, has stabbed a fellow worker and is arrested by Zuniga. She is Left to be guarded by Jose, Carmen uses her wiles to induce him to loosen her bonds to allow her to escape. With the promise of a rendezvous at Lillas Pastia`s tavern, Jose agrees. As he leads her off to prison, Carmen breaks away, and Jose is arrested.
act ii
In Lillas Pastia`s tavern, Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercedes entertain smugglers and off duty soldiers. The toreador Escamillo arrives and describes the exhilaration of the bullfight. He is attracted to Carmen but she is indifferent to him. Carmen has heard that Jose has been released from prison. She believes he will come to her that night. The smugglers Remendado and Dancairo enter and try to persuade the girls to help them in a smuggling operation. Carmen refuses saying that she is waiting for Jose. The smugglers suggest that Carmen gets Jose to join the operation. When Jose arrives Carmen sings and dances for him. When the call comes to return to barracks Carmen urges him to renounce soldiering and join her in freedom. Jose hesitates, but when Zuniga enters and orders him back to barracks, he attacks his superior. Carmen calls for help, and the smugglers rush to separate them. As the gypsies lead Zuniga out, Jose realises he now has no choice but to join the outlaws
act iii
The smugglers and gypsies pause to rest in the mountains. Jose is unhappy in their midst and Carmen has begun to tire of him. To pass the time she joins Frasquita and Mercedes in reading their fortunes in the cards. The friends find love and wealth, Carmen only death-first for herself, then for Jose. As the smugglers move on, Micaela approaches, searching for Jose. She hides as Escamillo arrives, looking for Camen. He and Jose quickly come to blows but are separated by the gypsies. The bullfighter leaves, but it is obvious that Jose has lost Carmen to him. Micaela is discovered; she has come with news that Jose`s mother is dying. He finally agrees to go with Micaela but warns Carmen that they will meet again.
act iV
Outside the bullring in Seville, the company greet Escamillo. Carmen and Escamillo pledge their love before he enters the bullring. Frasquita and Mercedes warn Carmen that Jose has been seen nearby. Carmen remains to face Jose as the others leave.
Jose pleads with Carmen to return to him, but she declares that all is over between them. Carmen finally throws the ring Jose has given her in his face as the crowd inside the arena cheers Escamillo. When Carmen tries to enter the arena Jose pulls a knife and stabs her, then falls in despair over her lifeless body.