I recently spent an evening of total captivation immersed in Carmen at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. It was the Barrie Kosky production and it’s an opera I’ve always wanted to see performed professionally.
A bit of background, because I have a guilty little secret that relates. I used to be a thespian and tread the boards at our local amateur drama group. There was also an operatic group based at the theatre and I used to go and see their productions. It was there I saw Carmen for the first time and fell in love with the music and passion of Bizet’s best-known opera.
Since then it’s been a dream to see Carmen performed professionally. The dream came true at London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. I really don’t know why I left it so long…
©2018-2019 ROH | Photographer: Bill Cooper
The production of Carmen is transferring to the West End’s London Coliseum from 29 January – 27 February 2020. Scroll to the end of this post for information, seat reviews and official tickets.
The Story of Carmen
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French composer Georges Bizet wrote Carmen in 1875. Set in Seville, the opera tells the story of enigmatic seductress Carmen and the passionate craving she awakens in soldier Don José. His intended, Micaëla, is a sweet village girl but when Don José meets temptress Carmen he finds it impossible to resist her advances.
Carmen warns Don José that to fall in love with her is dangerous and before long he’s helplessly hooked. Carmen soon loses interest and turns her attentions to celebrity of the moment, flamboyant torero Escamillo. Don José’s ensuing jealousy is his undoing and, ultimately, Carmen’s too.
Read more: Famous Theatres in London
The Main Stage
The production had its UK premier in February 2018. It was held on the ROH main stage, the largest of London’s Victorian theatres. Think a traditional auditorium, red velvet seating, curtains with golden tassels and all trimmed to the hilt in gilt. Boxes line the sides of the auditorium which is overlooked by a beautiful domed ceiling. That’s where the tradition ended.
Barrie Kosky’s Carmen
Australian director Barrie Kosky’s production of Carmen is superbly original and offers a fresh perspective on an old favourite. It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. Think contemporary dance, monochrome costume and minimal set. Kosky ditched the Carmen clichés of castanets, gypsy costumes and campfires in an inventive, unpredictable and captivating performance. I couldn’t tear my eyes, or my ears, away for a second.
©2018-2019 ROH | Photographer: Bill Cooper
Carmen – The Cast
The title role of Carmen was beautifully sung by Swiss mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner who stepped in due to illness. You wouldn’t have known. Brian Jadge played Don José with passion, despite suffering from a virus. Eleonora Buratto sang an exquisite Micaëla.
The dialogue has been pared back to a sultry voice-over revealing to the audience the main characters’ deepest thoughts. This gives context and helps with scene setting given there’s no set although I found looking up to the top of the stage to read the translation drew my gaze away from the action.
©2018-2019 ROH | Photographer: Bill Cooper
Carmen Dance
This is an all-singing, all-dancing extremely slick production bursting with energy. I loved the contemporary edge the dance brought. There wasn’t a frenzied gypsy dance or tambourine to be seen. Instead ‘flossing’ toreadors with body-popping tendencies and complicated hand jives kept the cast constantly moving.
The choreography, by Otto Pichler, was mesmerising and gave the performance an added dimension. Six core dancers, three men and three women, were exceptional.
©2018-2019 ROH | Photographer: Bill Cooper
The excellent orchestra was led by energetic Canadian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson whose pony-tail whipped wildly as she worked the more lively pieces. The slower softer pieces were beautifully played and the music rolled around my mind for days after. I awoke one morning to hear the opening strains of the aria Habanera softly floating around my head. Which was kind of nice.
Carment – The Set and Costumes
The set was simplicity itself. A rake of steps takes up the whole of the stage sliding back when space is needed front of stage although most of the action takes place on the steps. I felt the lack of scenery worked well with excellent lighting to perfectly emphasise the performance.
Costumes were mainly monochrome, not a mantilla in sight and with a thirties vibe. Pops of colour were few including a shocking pink toreador outfit and blood red rose petals. The ‘March of the Toreadors’ displayed a palette of blues and purples with swirling crimson capes. I have no clue why Carmen sang Habanera dressed in a gorilla costume. Answers on a postcard.
©2018-2019 ROH | Photographer: Bill Cooper
ROH Renovations
The Royal Opera House has just emerged from a three year renovation project which has transformed the front of house areas into a new and contemporary gathering place in the heart of London’s Covent Garden.
©2018-2019 ROH | Photographer: Luke Hayes
As well as visiting the ROH for a performance it’s the perfect venue to meet for lunch at the Royal Opera House Restaurant. A backstage tour of the Royal Opera House is something I’d love to do or to attend a short lunchtime recital.
An events programme for all ages with workshops, recitals and opportunities to sing and dance has been launched priced from just £12. An innovative and inexpensive way to learn more about the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet who are both based at the Royal Opera House. I’m going to try an arrange any future London meetings to work around a lunchtime recital.
©2018-2019 ROH | Photographer: Luke Hayes
Aims of the Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House aims to bring exceptional ballet and opera to more people helping them enjoy and engage with these art forms. The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House bring together the world’s most extraordinary ballet and opera artists in more than 500 performances each year both traditional and newly commissioned. These events thrill, move and excite transporting people to other worlds through music, dance and theatre.
I’m not by any means an aficionado or opera buff but I know what I like and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and was completely entranced by the production. It’s actually re-ignited my love of opera and I hope to see more performances and some of the lunchtime programmes. If you’re in London during the day it’s a great way to get a small taste of what the Royal Opera House has to offer.
Photography of the production is prohibited so please see credits in image captions where ROH images have been used.
Carmen Tickets and Dates 2020
Carmen is transferring to the West End’s London Coliseum from 29 January – 27 February 2020. Click here for up to date information, seat reviews and official tickets.
Where to Stay in Covent Garden, London
If you need somewhere to stay nearby then check out these Covent Garden hotels and accommodation.
Thank you to The Royal Opera House who kindly invited me to this performance of Carmen.
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Suzanne Jones is a full-time travel blogger and writer at The Travelbunny website which she started in 2011 during her time as a professional travel planner. This serial traveller enjoys exploring new destinations, culinary encounters and the outdoors. When she’s not indulging her wanderlust or writing about her adventures you’ll most likely find Suzanne, camera in hand, enjoying coastal walks on England’s South Coast.
Suzanne also runs Hello Sussex a website which showcases the best of East & West Sussex. Read more about Suzanne here…
Sara @ Travel Continuum
Monday 28th of January 2019
Oooh Suzanne, you have me all conflicted here! You see, I love contemporary, modern twists and a fresh perspective, but my Spanish blood is rebelling against the idea of minimalist sets and monochromatic costumes. I love the excesses of Spanish artforms and the music to Carmen is so dramatic that I can barely imagine it played in this new context. But....that's the point, isn't it? I'd have to go and see it to fully know how I feel and, knowing me, I'm sure I'd end up loving it!
Suzanne Jones
Sunday 3rd of February 2019
Well, there's only one way to find out Sara!
Jaillan Yehia
Saturday 19th of January 2019
Well I was lucky enough to see you the day you went to this, so I know how excited you were for the performance, and sounds and looks like it exceeded expectations!
Suzanne Jones
Saturday 19th of January 2019
It didn't disappoint in any aspect - I was buzzing about it for days afterwards!
Jaillan Yehia
Saturday 19th of January 2019
Same here - I've been in the ENO which is nearby but haven't made it to the Royal Opera House which is definitely the more impressive of the two!
Lucy Dodsworth
Wednesday 16th of January 2019
This looks fabulous (and reminds me I must get to the theatre more often). The ROH is such a stunning building and I've walked past so many times but never been inside yet.
Suzanne Jones
Thursday 17th of January 2019
I used to go to the theatre a lot and love to see a play too, sadly not so often nowadays. You must go inside - I'm definitely heading there next time I'm in town.
Kathryn Burrington
Tuesday 15th of January 2019
Not sure about the gorilla costume but other than that it sounds fantastic.
I've only seen Carmen the once at Chichester Festival Theatre. It was a traditional version, supposedly in English, although I still couldn't understand a word. Still loved it of course! I hear there's a Bollywood version, a Mexican version and plenty more besides no doubt. I'd love to see them all. And I'd dearly love to see it at ROH. I've never been. It looks splendid!
Suzanne Jones
Thursday 17th of January 2019
I think the gorilla may have something to do with a Marlene Dietrich film. Now the Bollywood version would be interesting. Long time since I saw anything at CFF - Antony and Cleopatra (played by Diana Rigg)!