A Huge Production of Carmen closes the season at the Israeli Opera

Carmen by Bizet, the last production of the season at the Israeli Opera closes the season with over 200 performers on stage – soloists, dancers, musicians, chorus and actors. A revival production of Gadi Schechter after the production of Franco Zeffirelli at the Metropolitan Opera! The production follows the beautiful fantasy of Dido and Aneas that brought acrobatics to stage!

Dido and Aneas that is playing now at the Opera is a very joyful production, and a light one. Featuring acrobatics, singing, and an array of effects and lights, it was very entertaining to see. It showed that the opera can adapt to different audiences and expose opera to all ages and tastes. It was a complete Israeli production with Israeli opera singers singing all the roles. The music of the Barrocade ensemble was divine!

Carmen by Bizet tells the story of the free spirit gypsy who believes in free love. Carmen wins her freedom with the help of one lover and falls in love with a new one, leading her to her death. While the plot is interesting, what makes this opera unique is the music of Bizet, which is very enjoyable and has some Spanish influence. Bizet’s first première of Carmen was a failure and he died before seeing the huge success of his creation that has been rated the fourth in the list of most played operas in the United States according to Opera America.

Carmen will be staged from July 13-28, 2018 at the Israeli Opera. Naama Goldman who played Carmen around the world will be the soloist.

Carmen is one of the most popular operas in this year’s repertoire, and my favorite as well, and I look forward to watching it.

Conductor: Karen Kamensek

Revival Director: Gadi Schechter, after the production of Franco Zeffirelli

The Israeli Opera Chorus