Stanislavsky Theatre
Performed in French Premiere of this production: 07 May 1999 The performance has 2 intermissions Running time: 3 hours 35 minutes The Stanislavsky Theatre, located in XIX century historical building just 750 metres (9-minute walk) from the Bolshoi, offers audiences the unique opportunity to enjoy world-class opera in an intimate and elegant setting. On stage, you will see singers and musicians who have performed at the Bolshoi Theatre and studied in the same world-renowned academies as Bolshoi artists. Their artistry ensures that this production, free of ornament yet rich in truth, resonates with raw emotion and breathtaking theatricality. Opera at the Stanislavsky Theatre is the great and affordable alternative to the Bolshoi. In this deliberately stripped-down production — almost entirely bathed in sandy whites, with only rare touches of gray and black — lies a unique poetry, at times subtly reminiscent of Italian neorealism. Yet this is not a stylization, but rather a living, breathing world. By the details of everyday life and the nuances of character, the action seems to unfold somewhere on the border of Spain and France, in the mid-20th century. Micaëla arrives from her village to José on a bicycle, quarrelling factory girls are separated by a jet of water from a hose, and the toreador — dressed in a simple modern suit — is carefully shielded from the rain by strong, familiar-looking young men holding umbrellas. These touches of authenticity and understated humor bring the story closer to today’s audience, while never losing its timeless dramatic power. SynopsisAct One A military guard is posted at the tobacco factory. Micaëla is looking for Sergeant José. Street boys amuse themselves by watching the changing of the guard. At the factory, the workers take their break: men gather to watch the women. Everyone awaits Carmen’s arrival. She appears and throws a flower to José. Micaëla delivers a letter to José from his mother in the village. Suddenly a quarrel breaks out in the factory, escalating into a fight. Carmen is arrested. José, captivated, helps her escape. Act Two A month later at the inn of Lillas Pastia. Zúñiga and Morales amuse themselves with the girls. Escamillo arrives, greeted by the admiration of the crowd. The smugglers Dancaïre and Remendado prepare for a new expedition. Mercedes, Frasquita, and Carmen are to assist them. Carmen awaits José, who has just been released from prison. Their reunion ends in a quarrel. When Captain Zúñiga returns, a fight breaks out. To avoid arrest, José is forced to stay with Carmen and the smugglers. Act Three The smugglers make camp in the mountains. Fortune-telling with cards predicts death for both Carmen and José. Micaëla comes in search of José, while Escamillo arrives looking for Carmen. José attacks Escamillo, but Carmen intervenes and saves him. Micaëla persuades José to leave, as his mother is dying. Act Four Crowds gather outside the arena, awaiting the bullfight featuring Escamillo. Frasquita and Mercedes warn Carmen of danger. José and Carmen meet one last time… | ||||||||||
