Organization

Conductor

Zubin Mehta

Stage director

Nuria Espert

Singer

Mezzo-soprano

Maria Ewing

Carmen

Tenor

Luis Lima

Don José

Soprano

Leontina Vaduva

Michaela

Baritone

Gino Quilico

Escamillo

Judith Howarth

Frasquita

Jean Rigby

Mercedes

Bass

Roderick Earle

Zuniga

Christopher Booth-Jones

Morales

Bruno Caproni

Dancaire

Francis Egerton

Remendado

Set designer

Gerardo Vera

Lighting designer

Bruno Boyer

Costume designer

Franca Squarciapino

Chorus master

Robin Stapleton

Royal Opera House

Orchestra

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Others

Chorus of the Royal Opera House

London

United Kingdom

The libretto, by Henri Meilac and Ludovic Halévy, is based on a novella by Prosper Mérimée. The first performance of Carmen on 3 March 1875, produced such a hostile reaction that Bizet left Paris physically and psychologically ill, and died only three months later on 3 June 1875, following two serious heart attacks. The massive scandal of the premiere may have been partially the result of Bizet’s attempt to reform the Opéra Comique genre, yet it must still be said that Carmen is operatic history’s most famous example of a failure being corrected by the passage of time: Carmen is now one of the most frequently performed operas in the world.

The major Spanish actress and producer Nuria Espert was brought in for the production at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 1991, while the authentic Flamenco choreography comes from Cristina Hoyos and is danced by, among others, Juan Ortego.

For the musical side of this successful production Zubin Mehta had top vocalists at his disposal to perform the roles of Carmen, Don José and Escamillo.

Program notes

Bizet's masterwork, Carmen , directed for stage by the Spanish actress Núria Espert.

Carmen is certainly one of the world's most popular operas. The overture, the famous habanera "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle," to name but a few, are universally well-known scores; and rightly so, as the colorful and vibrant music composed by Bizet recreates brilliantly the intense and sensuous atmosphere of the 19th century Spain. The outstanding production by the Spanish stage director and actress Núria Espert lets the spectator enjoy once again the hymn to passion and freedom.
Carmen by Bizet: the story.

Carmen, a gypsy girl, has set her heart on Don José, a corporal of dragoons already engaged with Micaëla. Carmen and Micaëla have an argument. Carmen is caught by Zuniga, the Lieutenant of the dragoons, who asks Don José to carry Carmen to prison. Under the spell of the beautiful gypsy girl, Don José sets Carmen free. In a tavern a few months later, Zuniga and the toreador Escamillo try to seduce Carmen. She turns them away. Don José walks into the tavern and declares his undying love to the young gypsy girl. Carmen asks him to follow her through the mountain with the smugglers as a proof of his love. Impossible! His military honor impedes him from doing such a thing. Zuniga, abusing of his authority, tries to push Don José out of the way in order to seduce Carmen. The two men fight a duel. Don José wins over his superior, and has no choice but to accept to follow Carmen in the mountains. Carmen neglects her lover Don José, who starts to feel jealous. During a bullfight in Sevilla, the toreador Escamillo appears with the radiant Carmen next to him. Desperate, Don José asks her to get back to him. In a fit of madness, he kills Carmen, his beloved.

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