A Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre Production, with the Northern Chamber Orchestra
A brutal, gritty tale of self-destruction fuelled by lust, set to some of the most famous music in opera. Peter Brook’s adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen doesn’t hold back, stripping the opera to its core essentials whilst focussing on themes of obsession and jealousy.
When Don Jose falls for the fiery and ambitious Carmen their tragic fates are sealed. His childhood sweetheart is eschewed, and they begin a visceral journey that descends to madness and murder.
If you’re new to opera this is a fantastic introduction to the genre, brimming with arias and music that you didn’t know you knew. If you’re an opera aficionado then this production offers a new perspective, dissecting and challenging the stereotypes that surround the key characters.
La tragédie de Carmen includes the music of Georges Bizet’s opera as well as the original Prosper Mérimée novella on which Bizet’s opera was based. However, Brook adapted the script with academy award-winning screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière, re-examining it from a new perspective. The original score was adapted for a chamber orchestra by Marius Constant and the show premiered in Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, Paris in November 1981.
Director Katharina Kastening has created productions for Oper Frankfurt, Opéra National de Lorraine, Oper Halle and Opera Northern Ireland. The cast, of this fully staged production, is led by the charismatic Irish mezzosoprano, Niamh O’Sullivan.
Sung in French with English surtitles.
Please be aware: This production contains moderate violence and moderate sexual content.
CAST
Niamh O’Sullivan Carmen
Elgan Llŷr Thomas Don José
Steffan Lloyd Owen Escamillo
Erin Rossington Micaëla
Cameron Cook Active Narrator, Zuniga, Lillas Pastia and Garcia
CREATIVE TEAM
Iwan Davies Conductor
Katharina Kastening Director
Bettina John Designer
D M Wood Lighting Designer
Conductor Iwan Davies introduces La tragédie de Carmen:
Click here to download the La tragédie de Carmen programme.
