Opera News: A Different Sort of Carmen
Intimate Opera Company has selected a re-mastered version of Bizet’s “Carmen”, “La Tragedie de Carmen” as their next production to be presented at PCC’s Harbeson Hall on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, at Packard Hall, Westminster Gardens on Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 in the Gold Room of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
This version of the famed Bizet opera is by composer Marius Constant and playwright Jean-Claude Carriere. It was first produced in Paris by English stage director Peter Brook in 1981, then brought to New York where it won the 1984 Tony for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater. Because of the intimate (and therefore more intense) nature of this adaptation, music companies across America have embraced this “Carmen” that uses music from the original opera.
Intimate Opera’s impresario, Wendy Kikkert brings mezzo-soprano Geeta Novotny as Carmen; Christopher Campbell as Don Jose, soprano Susan Kane as Micaela and baritone James Martin Schaefer as the bullfighter, Escamillo. Director is Mark Lamanna.
Geeta Novatny and Christopher Campbell have worked together in several venues performing concert versions of the original “Carmen”. Their production with the Bakersfield Symphony, under vocal coach/director Kristof Van Gryspeer—who will be conducting the Intimate Opera orchestra for the production—received an excellent reception there. Ms. Novotny has gained a fine reputation for her roles with the Los Angeles Opera. Mr. Campbell received critical note for his debut with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and performances with the Orange County opera, Opera Pacific.
“La Tragedie de Carmen” will be presented by Intimate Opera at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 in Harbeson Hall, Pasadena City College. Tickets are $32.50 for adults; seniors, $27.50; students, $22.50.
The opera will also be presented at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at Packard Hall, Westminster Gardens, 1420 Santo Domingo Ave., Duarte. Tickets for this performance are: $30 for adults; seniors $25; students, $20. The final weekend performances will be at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 and at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 in The Gold Room, Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Tickets are $37.50 for adults; seniors, $32.50; students $27.50. Tickets are available at the Civic Auditorium box office or through Ticketmaster. For information, please call (626) 274-7342.
By Bill Peters
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