Provocative Carmen at the ENO
Calixto Bieito's Carmen returns to the English National Opera with Justina Gringyté in the title role.
According to Opera-Base statistics, Carmen is undoubtedly one of the top 3 most represented operas in the world, it is certainly the most famous french opera too. Bizet's Carmen has everything you want from an opera: high drama, passionate characters, a love story. On the other hand, when I think about this opera, I think immediately in the production signed by the spanish director Calixto Bieito. This production was premiered at the Peralada festival in 1999, since then, many other opera theatres have scheduled this production. Many famous opera houses can be cited like the Opera Bastille (Paris), the Teatro Real (Madrid), Oslo Opera or la Fenice (Venice) among many others. This provocative production has been on stage at the English National Opera for one month. What could I say about it? The production is very spectacular, it is quite minimalist but the different set changes make it worth seeing. With Calixto Bieito, Carmen becomes a big party on the stage, but it can be shocking to the audience in different moments, and sometimes a bit too much provocative.
In the musical side, the ENO orchestra is lead brilliantly by the young batton of Valentina Peleggi. The italian conductor gave a very effective lecture of the score. She conducted the ENO orchestra with decisiveness, bringing energy and contributing to the big scenic party that goes on the stage.
The cast was lead by Justina Gringyté (Justina was a Royal Opera House Jette Parker Young Artist from 2011-13). The Lithuanian mezzo soprano has already sung the title role at the ENO in 2014 as well as at the Teatro Massimo (Palermo). She is an astonishing actress, she profiled a seductive Carmen that brought down the opera house in the curtain call. Her Chanson Bohème from Act II was probably the best moment of the night .
David Butt Philip, as Don José, showed a well projected singing and his version of Don José fits well with Gringyté's Carmen. Micaela was embodied by Nardus Williams. She is energetic, her acting is solvent and she managed to impose herself in the cast from her first duet with Don José. She has made an excellent house and role debut. Ashley Riches' Escamillio was deservedly successful.The cast was completed by Keel Watson as Zuniga and Ellie Laugharne is Frasquita who must be highlighted too for their remarkable work.
