The Metropolitan Opera: Carmen
About the Event
Carmen is not only Georges Bizet's most popular work it is also one of the most performed operas of all time — enjoy this unique production at The Metropolitan Opera this season.
Carmen is an opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet based on Prosper Merimee’s novella with the same name. It is written in opera comique style, where musical pieces are interrupted with spoken remarks. Upon its premiere at the Opera‐Comique in 1875 this groundbreaking opera received controversial reviews, as the public was not ready to its realism, i.e. to see the life of the lower class being shown on stage. However, 10 years later the tragic and passionate Carmen was finally recognised as a brilliant example of verismo and opera comique and and became immensely popular.
This is your chance to witness this stunning work in one of the most amazing and well‐renowned stages in the world. The opera filled with talented task will leave you wanting more.
Plot
Act 1
Around 1820, in Seville, Spain, the most provocative gypsy, Carmen, is at a place near a cigarette factory. There are a lot of men and women. She sings ‘Habanera’ and fascinates the young men there. But, only a soldier of the guard, Don Jose isn’t interested in her. Carmen provocatively throws a flower to him, and leaves.
The girls who went back to the cigarette factory, cause a quarrel. Carmen is to blame, and she is arrested. However, Carmen seduces the guard, Jose, and runs away.
Act 2
A month later, Jose who was imprisoned for letting Carmen slip away, has just been released, and he goes to meet her at a tavern. With that flower in his hand he tells her his feelings. Carmen requires Jose not to report for roll call, but to stay with her. Jose is worried. He can’t help himself but join the smugglers with her.
Act 3
Carmen’s group members are smugglers. Jose later regrets his choice. Carmen is already in love with another man, Escamillo who is a bullfighter.
Then, Jose’s childhood friend, Micaela, visits him. She informs him that his mother is seriously ill. Jose decides to go home.
The following month, at the square in front of the bullfight arena, Escamillo who is Carmen’s lover, is welcomed by spectators. He enters the arena. Carmen remains at the square, then, Jose appears. He demands she leave with him, but she refuses to. In rejection to his persistence, Carmen throws away the ring that Jose once gave her. Jose stabs her to death with a dagger. Their love is finally dead.
Practical Information
Sung in French with Met Titles in English, German, and Spanish.
Cast / Production
Carmen Clémentine Margaine
Don José Yonghoon Lee (Oct/Nov), Roberto Alagna (Jan/Feb)
Micaëla Guanqun Yu (Oct/Nov), Aleksandra Kurzak (Jan/Feb), Susanna Phillips (Jan 17th)
Escamillo Kyle Ketelsen (Oct/Nov), Alexander Vinogradov (Jan/Feb), Michael Todd Simpson (Jan 17th)
Conductor Omer Meir Wellber (Oct/Nov), Louis Langrée (Jan/Feb)
Production Sir Richard Eyre
Set & Costume Design Rob Howell
Lighting Design Peter Mumford
Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon
Revival director Paula Williams
