PHOTOS: A story of love and jealousy at the Carmen opera
The opera was performed at the Umbali Events venue on May 26 and 27.
MBOMBELA – A story set in Spain, told in French, that probably sounds like Greek to you. That is the explanation given by the narrator in Carmen, the opera. The production was performed twice over the weekend by the Lowveld Chamber Music Association.
This was the first time an opera was held in the open air in the Lowveld, and Umbali was chosen as the setting for this occasion.
On Saturday the sun was shining and operagoers enjoyed the production in all its glory – on the stage with beautiful locally designed backdrops and the cast in full costume.
On Sunday, however, the weather was not as kind but, as per stage tradition, the show had to go on, so the performance was moved inside to the function hall. The popular work by Georges Bizet was made even more accessible to the audience by means of a narrator, who explained the happenings and storyline in English.
The opera deals with the love and jealousy of Don José, who is lured away from his duty as a soldier and his beloved Micaëla, by the gypsy factory-girl Carmen.Carmen, on the other hand, is infatuated with the bullfighter Escamillo and toys with Don José’s emotions. When Don José finds them together he is enraged with jealousy and stabs Carmen to death.
Linette van der Merwe and Stefan Louw beautifully portrayed Carmen and Don José, however it was Jeunelle Celaire in the role of Michaëla who captured the audience with her emotional performance of “I say that nothing frightens me”. Hardus Hartzenberg’s rich voice in the part of Escamillo was music to the audience’s ears, especially with his performance of the popular “Toreador’s Song”.
Other easily recognisable favourites included Carmen’s seductive “Habanera”, Don Jose’s portrayal of love in “The Flower Song” and the ladies of the choir singing the “Cigarette” chorus.The Sempre Vino choir completed the cast, accompanied by a chamber orchestra, all under the firm direction of JoAnn Kulesza, fit to perform in any of the grand opera houses in the world.
Producer Walter Fourie, who also had a solo part in the show, said that it was a privilege to bring an opera like this to the Lowveld and that he hopes they can do more in the future. “After the show on Saturday a young boy came up to me and told me that he wanted to sing with me someday. That’s how I know I am making a difference and shows like these are worth the while.”
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Even though the rain robbed the Sunday afternoon audience of the full production in its stage setting, the concert version of the opera was of an exceptional standard musically. The opera was sold out for both shows and there was a selection of wine and foods available to enjoy.
