Georges Bizet: Carmen - Opéra Comique, Paris

Overview

The opera "Carmen" caused a scandal at its premiere at the Opéra Comique in Paris. Now the feisty Carmen returns to where it all began. Andreas Homoki sets his new production at the Opéra Comique in several eras. Mezzo-soprano Gaëlle Arquez shines in the leading role, with Louis Langrée as musical director. Georges Bizet's world-famous opera returns to the site of its world premiere in 1875. German director Andreas Homoki transposes the story of the beautiful Romani woman and the soldier Don José into three epochs corresponding to the opera: the year of its scandalous premiere; the time of the Resistance, which alludes to the secret love affair; and the present day with the #MeToo movement, which stands for the heroine's sexual emancipation. Recording from April 26, 2023 at the Opéra Comique, Paris

Cast

Gaëlle Arquez

Carmen

Frederic Antoun

Don José

Elbenita Kajtazi

Micaela

Jean-Fernand Setti

Escamillo

Norma Nahoun

Frasquita

Aliénor Feix

Mercédès

François Lis

Zuniga

Jean-Christophe Lanièce

Morales

Louis Langrée

Conductor