Composed by Georges Bizet, one of the most influential figures in the opera scene, Carmen is considered a masterpiece of French opera and has several immensely popular numbers. It is almost impossible not to hum along to Bizet’s tunes such as “Habanera”, “Flower Song” and “Toreador’s Song” as the talented cast sings on-stage. The spectacular score is accompanied by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy’s libretto and makes for a breathtaking performance. Carmen’s music has been acclaimed for its confluence of harmony, melody and orchestration, and Bizet’s ability to represent the suffering of his characters through the opera. In John Bell’s Carmen, Cuba is the new Spain. He takes familiar lines with unhurried care and allows for each phrase to come into the spotlight. The benefit to this approach is that it allows the drama to come to a slow boil, giving each situation and mood the time to establish itself so when conflicts do arise, they seem intense and cataclysmic.

The Story

Don Jose is a small-town boy who is far away from home. He serves the Army and is often occupied with thoughts of home, his mother, and a pretty little girl called Micaëla, a young girl who comes to deliver a letter from home. Many of Jose’s friends seem to be captivated by the charm of one woman - Carmen, the red hot spark in the colorful streets of a colonial city. Carmen is intrigued by the shy Don José. Arrested for beginning a fight, Carmen seduces Don José to win her freedom — and convinces him to desert the army to join her in a life of liberty, but Don Jose quickly develops a possessiveness and tries to contain Carmen. Carmen being a wild soul will not be contained. She is infatuated with the soldier, and soon enough her wandering eyes land on another lover: the dashing bullfighter, Escamillo. Don José's jealousy is fierce, Escamillo's passion is determined, and Carmen’s fate is set in the cards…

Good For

Lovers of Opera | Georges Bizet Fans | Fans of Classical Music

Critic Reviews

"Push aside the obvious gender stereotyping – a product of the time of writing – and you will see a still relevant analysis of all too common relationship errors." - The Plus Ones

"Bell lives up to the standard he set himself, with a cast of fine singers and actors, and a creative team made up of Australia’s finest." - Daily Review