Opera Review: Carmen – Opera Australia, Sydney Opera House (Performances to August 12th)

“Love is a bird that nobody can tame” sing Carmen. Nobody but director John Bell it seems, in the latest dramatic and colourful retelling of the popular opera. Right from the opening notes the music is familiar. The set is like that of a film, lending beautifully to the very film-like opera and bringing everything to wonderful life on stage.

The singing itself is of course still the primary focus, but there is more attention paid to the other elements in this production- a clear indication of the director’s extensive experience in theatre. The bouts of latin/street dance are seamlessly integrated into the scenes rather than being an add on of a side-act, as so often the case. There is colour everywhere- the costumes bright and glaringly appropriate with the dramatic dialogue, spoken dialogue too! There is a story here that is given more of a chance to be heard amongst the high notes and sweeping arias.

Reliably, as is the case with almost all operas, the characters are frustratingly self-absorbed and tragically dramatic but where would we be without their poor choices really. Michael Honeyman  is charming and disarming as the torero Escamillo, and his famous solo is superbly entertaining. Yonghoon Lee’s jealous and headstrong Don Jose packs a powerful punch. Clementine Margaine creates a seductive Carmen in flirty gestures and stunning vocals. This cast suits the production, easily able to entertain as actors in their characters as well as hold the best of voices in every scene.

John Bell has made this an accessible opera full of life, echoed vocally in the crowd’s lively response. It is easy to watch and keeps your attention throughout its duration. Hearing an opera in French is a delight, such a reprieve from the endlessly dramatic (but still much-loved) Italian. The romantic language is perfectly at home here, it’s slightly easier on the ear and just helps in keeping with the film-like essence of the production and how easily it all is to absorb.

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Be seduced by Carmen at the Sydney Opera House until August 12th. For more information and tour dates visit www.opera.org.au/

The reviewer attended Opening Night on the 16^th June.

Photo credit © Keith Saunders

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