Two Saturdays ago, I conned Brendan Kiley into letting me cover Seattle Opera’s production of Carmen for The Stranger.
I’m training to be an opera singer, so naturally, I loved every minute. But you should love it too—Carmen is an incredibly sexy, charismatic gypsy charlatan. In this case, all the trappings of opera only serve to enhance that image, and Seattle Opera does a hell of a job with it.
Seriously though, it’s a fantastic production and you all should check it out before it ends this weekend. Side note: I got to meet Director Bernard Uzan—squeel!!!—who said nothing to me other than “you’re good-looking for a bass.”
From my review:
Norah Amsellem as Micaëla, Don José’s spurned fiancée, viscerally reminds the audience that opera is about powerful, unamplified live music. When she occasionally turns to the side during an otherwise reticent love duet, she creates an entirely new physical awareness of the space with the paths of her reverberating voice. You can literally feel her voice hit different parts of your ear—even quiet emotions are physically powerful when portrayed by a virtuosic singer.
So, why is it natural that you should love Carmen just because you’re training to become an opera singer? As a student of opera it required of you to love every opera you see? I mean, I’m an actor but that doesn’t mean I naturally like every play I see. Even the big ones. Even the ones everyone else loves.
That’s a weird comment and it makes me suspicious of your review
@1 You’re right, I shouldn’t have put that in. What I meant to address was that opera is often seen as a niche performing art, and to defuse that notion by readily identifying myself as an opera lover and subsequently explaining my reasons for holding those views.
And just what is wrong with the way basses look? Harumph.
I want to see a pic of the Unpaid Intern to make my own determination of his pulchritude.
@4 – Here.
So you’re interning at The Stranger and training to be an opera singer? I hope your parents set up a generous trust fund for you at some point.
Thanks, 5. The Unpaid Intern is attractive in an Ivy League kind of way.
@7 – See also this. (Warning: baby squirrel)
I’m a season ticket holder, I thought this Carmen was a little bland, especially the set, yawn. **SPOILERS** The one crazy thing they did during the prelude, the hauling of the dead woman out like a dead bull in the ring, was kind of creepy and offensive. I did like that they shot Zuniga on stage, that was pretty badass. And the performances were excellent, I’ll agree, esp. Norah Amsellem as Micaëla — her high notes flew.
I have to agree w/@9. I saw it on Sun, so it was the “secondary” cast, but the whole thing sounded somewhat muted to me (I don’t remember its being that way @ Porgy). And not really enough energy. It picked up some in Act 2. Micaela was great in Act 3. The other leads were fine but nothing that made me say wow, that was great! It will prob be my last Seattle opera. I may return for The Ring though…
@10 You should totally see The Ring, it knocked my socks off.