"Firstly: Elina Garanca was BORN to play Carmen - her smoldering sensuality and stunning voice fill the role, oh so perfectly! Secondly: Roberto Alagna nails the part of Don Jose as the naive and innocent country boy who finds himself utterly mismatched against the tempestuous Carmen. Don Jose's confused passions are featured brilliantly in Alagna's performance. Thirdly: A wonderful surprise is Teddy Tahu Rhodes in the role of Escamillo - what a voice! And what mesmerizing stage presence! I hope to see much more of this superb singer-actor. The staging and set designs effectively create a gritty and primal world for the emergence of vibrant passions. The orchestra is terrific under the energetic direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin!"
Firstly: Elina Garanca was BORN to play Carmen - her smoldering sensuality and stunning voice fill the role, oh so perfectly. Secondly: Roberto Alagna wonderfully plays Don Jose as the naive and innocent country boy who finds himself utterly mismatched against the tempestuous Carmen. Don Jose's confused passions are featured brilliantly in Alagna's performance. Thirdly: A wonderful surprise was Teddy Tahu Rhodes in the role of Escamillo - what a voice! And what mesmerizing stage presence! I hope to see much more of this superb singer-actor. The staging and set designs effectively create a gritty and primal world for the emergence of vibrant passions. The orchestra is terrific under the energetic direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin!