John Fulljames’ new production of Carmen has stirred audiences and critics alike, playing to packed theatres with 10 performances in Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen, and closing its tour with 5 performances in Edinburgh.
Set in 1970s Spain, during a period of great unrest and upheaval, the introduction of a narrator-turned-detective investigating Carmen’s murder frames Bizet’s beloved music as she listens to the confessions of the obsessive Don José.
Sung in English with an inventive translation from librettist and translator Christopher Cowell to present a fresh reframing of this classic tale of jealousy, lust, and life outside the dictates of society, that remains faithful to Bizet’s opera as well as Prosper Mérimée’s original novella.
In their four-star review The Stage said ‘the principals are never less than shimmering’. Justina Gringyte returns to Scottish Opera in the title role. The Spectator praising her 'smokey and insinuating', 'satisfyingly rich and dark' voice, and Inverness Courier saying she ‘creates a larger-than-life, mesmerising version of Bizet’s free-spirited heroine’ in their five-star review.
The Telegraph praised the production with a four-star review calling it ‘a strong and inventive Carmen which is bound to wow audiences throughout Scotland’ and marking Gringyte and Alok Kumar (Don José) as ‘superb throughout’.
Hye-Youn Lee’s return to Scottish Opera in the role of Micaëla is praised as a 'stunningly emotive rendering... that had the audience in raptures' by The Telegraph.
With all four of Scottish Opera’s 2022/23 Emerging Artists on stage - Zoe Drummond as Frasquita, Lea Shaw as Mercédès, Colin Murray as Dancaïre and Osian Wyn Bowen as Remendado – The List comments on their ‘outstanding depth of new talent’ in a four-star review.
The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, under the baton of conductor Dane Lam, are commended throughout, The Edinburgh Music Review said they were 'fully exploiting Bizet's rich store of melody and dramatic picture-painting, couple with an emotional intensity that is quite astonishing for pre-verismo opera'.
(l to r) Lea Shaw (Mercédès), Justina Gringytė (Carmen) and Zoe Drummond (Frasquita). Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop.
More of what the press said:
★★★★★ 'John Fulljames' setting of this most beloved of opera's sets fire to the imagination' Inverness Courier
★★★★★ 'a blistering production of a classic opera, concluding Scottish Opera’s 60th anniversary season with a powerful, emotional climax.' West End Best Friend
★★★★ ‘beautifully performed in every musical aspect’ The Stage
★★★★ ‘The chorus was on sparkling form as usual, and the orchestra, under conductor Dane Lam, fizzed with fiery passion.’ The List
★★★★ ‘the orchestra plays Bizet’s remarkable score with a delicate, sensitive freshness and, when required, an invigorating heft’ The Telegraph
★★★★ ‘A fine end to Scottish Opera’s 60th birthday season’ Bachtrack
'The audience in Glasgow appeared gripped, and Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh are in for a thoroughly entertaining night when it goes on tour.' The Spectator
'A strong and affecting Carmen' The National
'an emotionally powerful performance' The Opera Critic
'The Nation’s Operatic champions triumph again.' The Quinntessential Review
What the audience thought:
‘Utterly brilliant.’
‘#SOcarmen was off the scale! I don’t care what you have to do to get a ticket folks….just do it. Outstanding!’
‘THE best performance that I’ve ever seen 👏’
‘An exhilarating, powerful and prescient performance.’
‘Wonderful inventive new production.’
‘I loved it. It felt really modern. I was on the edge of my seat.’
‘A sensational performance and amazingly clever stage setting.’
‘Loved it! A clever and imaginative production.’
‘It was absolutely phenomenal from start to finish!’
‘Brilliant. Best production of Carmen I have seen.’
See the final performances of Carmen at Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from 9-17 June. You can find out more about the production, view our photo gallery and trailer, and book tickets here.