Carmen is an unforgettable story of runaway passions and dire consequences. Everyone is drawn to Carmen, an irresistible Spanish gypsy – except Corporal Don José. But even he soon succumbs to her seduction, fleeing a life in the military to join the gypsy world, all in Carmen’s name. When the famous bullfighter Escamillo begins to win her affection, however, a dangerous love triangle grows. Micaëla, Don José’s hometown sweetheart, attempts to wrest him from Carmen’s grasp, but to no avail – fate has already dealt its hand.

“Carmen has become such a beloved and enduring opera because of its great tunes, great story, and fascinating characters,” said director Paul Curran, whose production is set in the late 1950s in a non-specific locale reminiscent of Havana, Miami, or even Seville. “The musical numbers have been incorporated into every area of life since the 1875 premiere – from gondoliers on canals to advertisements for pretty much anything, and also dozens of pop tunes. That has to say something for its impact and staying power. Plus, Carmen is a story all of us can relate to: An outsider to society against whom circumstance is working harshly but who does everything in her power to build herself a better life.”

Heading a stellar cast is Daniela Mack, the “rich yet agile mezzo” (Opera News), as the iconic Carmen. Recent Curtis Institute of Music graduate Evan LeRoy Johnson brings his “fervent tenor” (Philadelphia Magazine) to the role of Don José, alongside baritone Adrian Timpau, in his company debut, lending his “dramatic and stylistic authority” (Opera News), to the role of the bullfighter, Escamillo.  Soprano Kirsten MacKinnon, who impressed Opera UK with her “poise, expressive singing and excellent vocalism,” sings the role of Micaëla. Johnathan McCullough, “a baritone of solid accomplishment” (Opera Today) who performed multiple roles in Elizabeth Cree, returns as Moralès, with South African bass-baritone Musa Ngqungwana, praised by The New York Times for his “rich, glowing voice and elegant legato,” as Zuniga. Opera Philadelphia Emerging Artists Ashley Milanese and Anastasiia Sidorova perform the roles of Frasquita and Mercédès. Daniel Taylor (Le Remendado) and Doğukan Kuran (Le Dancaïre) round out the cast led by director Paul Curran (La traviata) and conductor Yves Abel, in his company debut leading the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra.

Carmen
Music by Georges Bizet | Libretto by Ludovic Halévy & Henri Meilhac
April 27, 29, May 2, 4, 6, 2018
Academy of Music
Performed in French with English Supertitles

Carmen / Daniela Mack
Don José / Evan LeRoy Johnson*
Escamillo / Adrian Timpau*
Micaëla / Kirsten MacKinnon
Moralès / Johnathan McCullough
Zuniga / Musa Ngqungwana
Frasquita / Emily Pogorelc
Mercédès / Anastasiia Sidorova
Le Remendado / Daniel Taylor
Le Dancaïre / Doğukan Kuran*

 Conductor / Yves Abel*
Director / Paul Curran
Set & Costume Design / Gary McCann
Lighting Design / Paul Hackenmueller
Wig & Make-up Design / David Zimmerman
Choreographer & Assistant Director / Seth Hoff
Chorus Master / Elizabeth Braden
Stage Manager / Lisa Anderson

*Opera Philadelphia debut