Southern Ontario Lyric Opera will be presenting a fully staged version of Bizet’s Carmen on March 2, a first for the company. Bizet’s Carmen is one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the classical repertoire, to the point where the Habanera and Toreador Song have permeated popular culture.
“We are very much looking forward to presenting Bizet’s Carmen on March 2,” says Founder and Artistic Director Sabatino Vacca. “We have a very exciting cast of Canadian singers including Simona Genga in the title role. French lyricism together with Spanish rhythms are at the heart of Bizet’s masterpiece. Is it any wonder why it has become one of the most beloved operas of all time!”
He adds, “Bizet’s Carmen is a good audience draw especially for a March date. It makes for a good contrast with Madama Butterfly which we performed earlier this season.”
Founded in 2015, SOLO made its debut with an evening of opera favourites. It’s returned to the stage for La Traviata, Tosca, La Bohème, Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, among other productions.
Carmen
Georges Bizet composed the music to a libretto written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella Carmen by popular French author Prosper Mérimée.
At its premiere in 1875, the Paris audience was scandalized by the way that Bizet had broken with the operatic conventions of the past. Sadly, Bizet passed away after only the 33rd performance of Carmen, and never knew that it would go on to become so popular.
“Very unfortunate that Bizet died not long after its premiere convinced it was a failure,” says Vacca “and never able to enjoy the immense popularity it was to enjoy worldwide. There are great moments of sparkle as in the quintet which bubbles along like a freshly opened bottle of expensive champagne; only a French composer could have penned such a dazzling gem!”
It’s a tragic story of love, jealousy and betrayal. The soldier Don José becomes infatuated with the passionate gypsy Carmen, abandoning his childhood sweetheart and even his military duties. In the end, though, he loses his love to another, causing him to erupt in a jealous rage.
The opera depicted social issues along with its dark love story, and the life of street people, among other elements which shocked French audiences in the late 19th century.
The Cast
The production will be directed by Gregory Finney, and conducted by Vacca. Casting is obviously crucial. Simona Genga takes the lead role of Carmen, with Andrew Derynck as Don José. Both are making their debuts with SOLO.
“Always looking for solid top notes, a good blend of voices with leads, some weight and “metal” in the voice as well. Very happy to have Simona Genga joining us for the first time, very warm voice with an even range top to bottom, rich tone, and great acting skill. She will bring a lot to the role,” Sabatino notes.
“Andrew Derynck is a very young promising tenor with secure top notes with power when you need it as in some of the ensembles, and tenderness as in the duet with Micaëla.”
Many of the other cast members are favourites of SOLO audiences, including sopranos Sara Papini, Daniela Agostino, and tenor Adam Sperry. Alessia Vitali, Parker Clements (Escamillo), and Luke Noftall (Zuniga) are alum from the University of Toronto Opera School, while Ben Wallace is a current student.
“Pairing up the gypsies Frasquita (Daniela Agostino) and Mercédès (Alessia Vitali) is very important as is pairing up the smugglers Le Dancaïre (Ben Wallace) and Le Remendado (Adam Sperry). Sara Papini our Micaëla is also gifted with a very warm rich voice and ease with top notes. Sara was our Donna Anna in Don Giovanni in 2019.”
- The performance takes place on March 2 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. More information and tickets [HERE].
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