Tag Archives: Carmen

Rouen takes Carmen back to her opéra comique roots

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Mark Pullinger

Bizet: Carmen Opéra de Rouen, 30th September 2023 Opera fans allergic to dust mites may have approached Opéra de Rouen’s “new” Carmen with caution. In collaboration with the indefatigable Palazzetto Bru Zane, the house staged a production based on the … Continue reading →

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Carmen minus charisma: a limp revival of Kosky’s production at Covent Garden

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Mark Pullinger

Bizet: Carmen Royal Opera, 24th June 2019 Barrie Kosky’s Carmen is back, so grab the pedometer. “Who needs cardio classes?” tweeted the Royal Opera Chorus wryly after Saturday’s matinee. Kosky strips almost all sense of Spain from the setting and … Continue reading →

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Swans, severed heads and a deerstalker: 2018 in review

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

“Wow! That’s some year you’ve had!” was a message written in one of this year’s Christmas cards. “Aiming to top it in 2019?” I’m not sure I have the energy! My outstanding operatic experience of the year was easily Salome at … Continue reading →

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A rebellious Carmen: Kosky’s vaudeville flawed but entertaining

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Mark Pullinger

Carmen Royal Opera House, 6th & 8th March 2018 If Carmen contends that love is a rebellious bird, then Barrie Kosky is a rebellious director. He can take rarities such as Saul or The Nose and give it the full … Continue reading →

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Carmen as therapy: Tcherniakov challenges clichés but is stumped in Aix

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Mark Pullinger

Bizet: Carmen ** Grand Théâtre de Provence, Aix-en-Provence, 4th July 2017 Love may well be a rebellious bird, but that’s as nothing to maverick director Dmitri Tcherniakov. In his beloved Russian repertoire he displays genius – his recent Snow Maiden in Paris fully … Continue reading →

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