CARMEN
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
Based on the story of the same name by French novelist, Prosper Mérimée
Sung in French with French dialogue; projected English translations
THE STORY As the workers at a Seville cigarette factory enter the city square on their lunch break, the sensual and seductive Carmen teasers her many admirers. Only the corporal Don José is resistant to her charms. Piqued by his disinterest, she playfully tosses a flower at him.
Later, Carmen is arrested for wounding a co-worker in a rowdy fight. Don José is to take her to prison, but has fallen under her spell and lets her escape. He later deserts the army to join Carmen and her band of smugglers, disregarding his life-long sweetheart and his dying mother. Carmen has tired of the jealous José however, and decides to take on a new lover, the bullfighter Escamillo. Jealousy ignites and José is pushed to the brink of obsessive madness that leads to shocking, murderous consequences.
THE ARTISTS Canadians making their mark will dominate the roster for this production. French-Canadian mezzo, Nora Sourouzian makes her company debut as the fiery temptress with the celebrated tenor David Pomeroy reprising his role as the obsessive corporal. Pomeroy was with MO last season as Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. Baritone Tim Renner also makes his debut with the MO stage, this time in the role of Escamillo the bullfighter. Winnipegger Lida Szkwarek (Michaela), Johnathon Kirby (Morales/Dancairo), and Jean-Philippe Lazure (Remendado) make company debuts. Winnipeg-born soprano Lara Secord-Haid will sing Frasquita. Secord-Haid was last on the Manitoba Opera stage as Sophie in Werther. Brian Deedrick directs.
Tyrone Paterson will conduct both productions which also feature the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Manitoba Opera Chorus.
Carmen: Nora Sourouzian
Don José: David Pomeroy
Escamillio: Tim Renner
Michaela: Lida Szkwarek
Morales/Dancairo: Johnathon Kirby
Remendado: Jean-Phillipe Lazure
Fresquita: Lara Secord-Haid
Director: Brian Deedrick
Conductor: Tyrone Paterson