Grand opera is returning to Chattanooga with Bizet’s “Carmen.” Slated for the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s 2018-19 season, the opera was last performed by the CSO in 1994.
“We had financial and programmatic success with “Madame Butterfly’’ last season, and we’re excited about bringing another fully staged grand opera to Chattanooga,” says Samantha Teter, CSO executive director.
“Carmen” is set in southern Spain and focuses on Carmen, a beautiful and fiery gypsy girl who seduces Don José, a straight-laced soldier in the army.
When “Carmen” premiered in 1875, it was met with harsh criticism and negative reviews. With a scandalous heroine and its portrayal of characters as real men and women with raw emotions, “Carmen” was far from the conventional operas of that day. “Carmen” has since become a worldwide operatic phenomenon.
“Those of you who have experienced “Carmen’’ live will understand why we’ve chosen it for our next production,” says Bob Bernhardt, music director emeritus and opera conductor. “The music is glorious and sensual, the story is timelessly tragic, and it’s a vocal and orchestral tour de force, filled with famous melodies and glorious ensembles.”
Producing a fully-staged opera can take up to 18 months. The CSO is in the process of hiring the opera’s director. Once the director has been brought on for the project, casting will begin.
Performances will be Thursday, April 11, and Saturday, April 13, 2019, at the Tivoli Theatre. Patrons who purchase subscriptions for the 2018-19 season will have access to tickets beginning in Feb. 2018. Single tickets for the opera will go on sale to the public in Aug. 2018.
Source: Chattanooga Symphony & Opera’s