Carmen (Bizet)

Chisinau National Opera, Apollo Theatre, 25th - 29th September 2001

Bizet's Carmen, a tale of passion, jealousy and bullfighters set in 19th century Spain, is well loved world-wide. Many though, are unaware that it was a complete failure on its opening night, torn to shreds by the press to the extent that its composer died three months later - hardly the success he had imagined.

This production, however, by the Chisinau National Opera, all the way from Moldova, would leave Bizet relatively pleased with himself. They present a very traditional Carmen, setting it in Seville in 1820 with traditional costumes - flamenco-type skirts for the ladies. The sets are also very traditional: a Spanish piazza with a running fountain; tavern for Act 2; smugglers' cove and the outskirts of a bullring for the finale.
Perhaps they looked slightly rickety on the opening night on Wednesday - perhaps a little ordinary. But this was of no importance when the cast began to sing. The male chorus got us off to a good start, with Petru Racovita as Morales (and later Escamillo, the bullfighter) setting the high standard for the evening, with a nice rich baritone voice. Carmen (Tatiana Busuioc), too, had a fine voice, nice and sultry as the part demands, but could have sung out a little more. She always seemed a little constrained; but despite this, when singing of her fate dealt by the cards in Act 3, she gave a very moving performance. The minor principals worked well together with Carmen, particularly in the tavern scenes, and the chorus made a fine sound.

But the two performances of the evening had to be Dominic Natoli as Don Jose and Rosa Lee Thomas as Micaela. Natoli sang beautifully thorughout, particularly in La fleur que tu m'avais jetée; and although he succumbed rather too easily, in his acting, to Carmen's wiles, was excellent by the finale. Rosa Lee Thomas was delightful, her voice crystal clear - a good contrast to Carmen's sultry tones. Her Act I duet with Don José was a real treat to hear.

At times the staging was static and the set may not have been great, but the singing was definitely worth listening to. They must have been justly pleased with themselves because they were serving Moldovan red champagne, specially commissioned with Carmen on the front… Didn't taste too bad either.

RICH 26/09/01