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| Angela Hogan as Carmen |
Conducted by
Luke Spicer – Directed and Choreographed by Matthew Barclay
Set &
Costumes designed by Anna Cordingley – Lighting designed by Paul Jackson
Canberra
Theatre 8th – 10th July 2021.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens.
There are
many reasons why Bizet’s “Carmen” is one of the most popular operas in the
canon. Primarily it is Bizet’s tune-filled score in which nearly every aria is
an ear-worm. It has an intriguing story in which the tempestuous heroine as the
central role as is a gift showcase for every ambitious diva worth her salt. It is
also a magnet for the possibilities it offers for imaginative directors and
designers.
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| Danita Weatherstone as Micaela. |
With this
production designed specifically for touring, Opera Australia has hit the
jackpot. Director Matthew Barclay has chosen to update his production to
Franco’s Spain in the 1960’s, where Don Jose now joins a band of Romani Gypsy
bikies who hang out in a drive-in theatre showing vintage movies.
Riffing on
this idea, and mindful that this production would be seen in forty different
theatres during its tour, Anna
Cordingley has designed an attractive economical setting, cleverly repurposing various elements to give
each of the four acts, an individual
locale. She’s enclosed the lot in faux festoon curtains, legs and borders to give the
impression of a modern production presented on a period opera house stage, which, beautifully
lit by Paul Jackson, looked quite lovely on the Canberra Theatre stage.
For her
costumes Cordingley has taken advantage of the 1960’s penchant for swirling
skirts for her gypsy girls in the early scenes, introducing jeans and leather
jackets for the bikies later.
Despite
being a small cast by opera house standards, this production boasts three
Carmens, three Micaela’s, two Don Jose’s, two Escamillos and two Zunigas, as well as doubles for most
of the minor characters, all of whom double as ensemble when not performing a
feature role. Given the quality of the opening night cast and performance,
there is a strong temptation to attend other performances to experience the
various interpretations.
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| Iain Henderson as Don Jose - Angela Hogan as Carmen |
On opening
night Angela Hogan was a thrilling Carmen. Vocally assured, her warm mezzo
impressive from the top to the bottom of her range, secure in her allure, she
commanded the stage from her very first entrance. Whether tantalising the
policemen with the famous “Habanera” for
the amusement of her colleagues, cat fighting, or exercising her knowledgeable
seduction skills on the hapless Don Jose, Hogan lived and breathed the role.
As the
object of her attentions, Iain Henderson gave a strong performance as the
conflicted Don Jose. Vocally impressive, his second act “Flower Song” provided
one of the vocal highlights of the evening. As
Micaela, the unfortunate harbinger of bad news from his mother, Danita
Weatherstone also sang and acted appealingly.
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| Haotian Qi as Escamillo - Angela Hogan as Carmen |
Tall and
commanding Haotian Qi as Escamillo almost stopped the show with his thrilling baritone voice
in the stirring, though oddly costumed “Toreador’s Song” in the excellently
staged Lillias Bar scene, while Alexander Sefton also displayed a fine baritone
and strong presence as the loathsome Zuniga.
Giuseppina
Grech and Genevieve Dickson as Carmen’s
friends Frasquita and Mercedes, Michael Lampard as Dancairo, Daniel Macey as Morales, and Genevieve Dickson
as Mercedes, all sang well and danced Barclay’s clever choreography
with enthusiasm, often giving the impression that there were many more on stage
than there actually was.
Particular
pleasures with this production were the excellent playing of the small
orchestra conducted by Luke Spicer which interpreted Robert Andrew Greene’s
clever orchestral arrangements with ebullience and taste, and the enthusiastic
performances of the children from the Woden Valley Youth Choir who performed
their roles like troupers.