Carmen
Carmen by Georges Bizet (1838-75), written in four acts, is being presented in three acts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Music Center. However, with two intermissions, it still runs for three-and one-half hours. Enjoying it as I did, the time passed quickly.
Bizet never went to Spain, but his opera, which takes place in Seville, Spain, about 1820, is one of the most popular operas, with perhaps, some of the most recognizable and famous arias. The story is about a beautiful Gypsy woman, Carmen who captures the heart of Corporal Don Jose. His love for her is so strong that he allows her to convince him to desert the army to be with her and join the gypsy smugglers in their escape for freedom. But Carmen is a free lover, and soon loses her desire for Don Jose when the famous bullfighter, Escamillo, courts her. Even though Don Jose is spurned by Carmen, he rejects the woman he had intended to marry and refuses to accept the fact that Carmen no longer loves him. When he leaves the gypsies to attend to his sick mother, he promises Carmen that their paths will cross again.
Carmen swears her love for Escamillo and is at his side during the procession outside of the arena where he is to perform. She is told that Don Jose is in the crowd and she waits outside the arena to confront him. He pleads with Carmen to come back to him, and when she tells him that she loves Escamillo and that their affair is over, he becomes enraged with jealousy and kills her just as the crowd roars their approval of Escamillo’s victory over the bull.
LA Opera’s production is stunning with magnificent sets by Gerardo Trotti, gorgeous costumes by Jesus del Poso, dynamic choreography by Nuria Castejon, a rich orchestra directed by Emmanuel Villaumel and a pleasing cast headed by Viktoria Vizin (Carmen), Marcus Haddock (Don Jose) and Raymond Aceto (Escamillo).
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Music Center
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA