SAN FRANCISCO OPERA’S CARMEN DAZZLES
Jonathan Tetelman as Don José
A fiery, free-spirited Gypsy girl comes to an unhappy end in Georges Bizet’s popular Carmen, at San Francisco’s sumptuous War Memorial Opera House through December 1.
Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Carmen
Christopher Oglesby as Dancaïre, Alex Boyer as Remendado,
Nikola Printz as Mercédès, and Arianna Rodriguez as Frasquita
Mezzo-soprano Eve-Maud Hubeaux stars as the eponymous seductress and consort of smugglers, who abandons one lover after another and provokes much mischief and grief in the process. Blessed with a soaring, searing voice, Hubeaux commands the large stage throughout the four-act, approximately three-hour production. She not only sings like a goddess, but acts and dances with conviction and aplomb. Suspension-of-disbelief is never an issue with her onstage — unlike many opera stars, she embodies the look of her character, with long wavy hair and a swirling skirt.
Christian Van Horn as Escamillo, Eve-Maud Hubeaux and the SF Opera Chorus
Christian Van Horn as Escamillo and members of the SF Opera Chorus
Carmen debuted in Paris in 1875, where (like Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring) it was not well received. Bizet set the story in 1820 Spain, but Francesca Zambello‘s production for SFO, designed by Tanya McCallin, moves it up to 1875 Seville. It’s highly unlikely that most opera fans would know the difference — or care — but from the opening notes of the Overture, they’re all onboard for a spectacular ride. Led by conductor Benjamin Manis, the orchestra in the pit is as magnificent and dynamic as it can be, delivering some of the most enduringly popular songs and arias in the operatic repertoire.
Louise Alder as Micaëla and members of the SF Opera Chorus
Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Carmen with members of the SF Opera Chorus
Tenor Jonathan Tetelman mines pathos and vengeance in the role of rejected lover Don José, while soprano Louise Alder brings enormous empathy and a lilting ephemeral voice to the role of pivotal character Micaëla. Bass James McCarthy dominates as military officer Zuniga, while Christian Van Horn shines as heartthrob toreador Escamilio.
Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Carmen with members of the SF Opera Chorus
Jonathan Tetelman as Don José and Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Carmen
The wide stage is filled with dozens of extras — many children (“urchins”), soldiers, peasants, townspeople, Gypsies, and smugglers. Under chorus director John Keene, Carmen and her friends sing gloriously and seductively. Their flamenco dancing is tremendous, guided by choreographer and assistant director Anna Maria Bruzzese. A gorgeous and amazingly calm white horse, with shaggy fetlocks and a long luxurious tail, appears on stage twice, to the delight of both cast and audience.
Christian Van Horn as Escamillo and members of the SF Opera Chorus
Louise Alder as Micaëla
This Carmen is a must-see for opera enthusiasts and garden-variety music fans alike. A historical treasure, the 3000+-seat Opera House is a San Francisco venue worth visiting in its own right.
Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Carmen and Jonathan Tetelman as Don José
photos by Cory Weaver/San Francisco Opera
poster design Brian Stauffer
Carmen
San Francisco Opera
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave
in French with English supertitles
2 hours and 45 minutes, including one intermission
remaining performances:
Nov 22 (7:30), 24 (2), 26 (7:30), 29 (7:30); December 1 (2)
for tickets ($28 to $426), call 415-864-3330 or visit SF Opera
$10 standing room tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on the day of each performance
Barry Willis is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and president of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle. Contact: [email protected]
Christian Van Horn as Escamillo and Eve-Maud Hubeaux as Carmen