For fans of Opera, George Bizet’s classic is the best one on offer and one that people will travel far and wide to see. For true opera aficionados it is their most favourite and even after 135 years, it remains as deeply compelling and captivating as it did when it was first seen at the Opéra Comique in Paris back in 1875.
The opera takes the form of “Carmen”, which is set for an epic spectacle at the O2 in London. It will be the first opera to be staged at the country’s premiere venue and is sure to offer something new and exciting for “Carmen” fans around the world when it is staged for three days in May 2010.
“Carmen” takes us back to 1830s Seville, Spain where we meet the title character herself – a beautiful gypsy girl who is going to have a harsh effect on a love struck soldier. A highly experienced girl, Carmen spends much of her time indulging in flights of love around the Spanish city, where men are powerless to resist her charms and beauty. But amongst her lovers is a young and inexperienced solider by the name of Don José, with whom she embarks on a romantic affair. Their relationship manages to raise a few eyebrows as Carmen joins a band of smugglers, whilst Don José has rejected his former love to be by her side.
But he will soon come to regret these sacrifices as Carmen abandons him to woo the bullfighter Escamillo instead; José has effectively changed his life for this woman and the consequences of their doomed love prove to be disastrous in this shocking opera.
Bizet adapted his most famous work from the 1845 novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée. Even before then the story existed as a poem meaning it was well known to many even before the opera made its first appearance onstage in 1875. A quarter of a year later Bizet would be dead, but “Carmen” would go on to live forever.
What Bizet left behind was an opera that contains some of the most celebrated arias and music of all time and when “Carmen” appears on the stage of the O2 these musical treats will be given new life by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Gareth Hancock conducts, with talented musicians, singers and artists re-creating a timeless classic on a world stage.
“Carmen” is at London’s O2 from Friday 21st May 2010 to Sunday 23rd May 2010.