Carmen by Bizet, Tue 20 Sep 2022, From (2022/2022), Directed by Juana Inés Cano Restrepo, Conductor Florian Ziemen, Stadttheater, Hildesheim, Germany

Carmen is a strong, desirable and self-confident woman who knows how effective she is on men. She doesn't allow herself to be restricted by love, wants to live out her freedom and defies all social conventions. But can that work out? When Don José, who demands absolute devotion from his chosen one, and the torero Escamillo realize that they are both vying for Carmen's love, they agree to a duel. Don José rages with jealousy and the drama ensues... carmenToday it is considered to be the best-known and most-performed French opera in the world. Georges Bizet was the first to dare to bring a new social milieu onto the opera stage with soldiers, smugglers and workers. And he did the unthinkable: in just three months he composed a world hit loaded with gripping emotions and musical power. Carmen's "Habanera" and "Seguidilla" or Escamillo's "Couplet" became real catchy tunes. Director Juana Inés Cano Restrepo brings the story of Carmen into the present: every third day in Germany a woman is killed by her (ex-)partner. Cano Restrepo illuminates such a case in her production and shows how great the need for action is in our supposedly enlightened society.