Carmen @ Opera Western Reserve 11/06/09

Georges Bizet's Carmen is one of the most popular (and thus most frequently performed) operas in the literature. And why not? Young love gone wrong is always a current topic. If you read the newspapers or watch movies or TV you’ll certainly find that statement easy to believe. When the tale is wrapped in gorgeous music and a somewhat exotic setting, it’s as timely as today.

General Manager and Production Director David Vosburgh moved the time forward about 75 years or so to the end of WWII, but kept the location in Spain. It was totally believable. Of course, he also had an excellent Carmen and Don Jose to give voice to the familiar arias. Music Director Susan Davenny Wyner did her magic with the music and the excellent orchestra, always in synch with the singers and their need to breathe, without allowing any tempos to drag. Yet, while moving briskly along, the words were never rushed. (Sung in the original French, the supertitles were in English, as was the dialog. Great idea, that! Extra kudos to Mr. Vosburgh for the supertitle translation!)

(Considering that the first act is set just outside a cigarette factory, I found the note on the title page of the program note slightly ironic – and amusing! “No Actual Cigarettes are smoked on stage during this performance.” Bravos to Mr. V. for that idea, as well—and, to dedicating the performance to an area native – Elizabeth Louise “Betty” Allen, a singer of international renown who passed away earlier this year.)

As in last year’s Madama Butterfly, Clayton Hilley, possessed of a beautiful and lyrical tenor voice, was again the hero – Don Jose. Before coming to Seville, he has been a young man of honor, well suited to the military. But then, he meets Carmen. No wonder he fell under her spell! Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Barsamian has a brilliant smile, expressive dark eyes and lots of dark eyes, and is seemingly unable to move, except in sultry, sensual fashion. She immediately captivated every man on stage, and probably a good many of those in the audience, as well. Baritone Scott Skiba as Escamillo was all swagger and strutting arrogance as the bull-fighter who entices Carmen away from Don Jose. Dione Parker Bennett was a winsome Micaela, the girl from Jose’s home town, come to remind him of his Mother, and his honor. Her silvery soprano soared easily—and beautifully—through Stambaugh Auditorium, but she couldn’t compete with Carmen’s wiles.

As proof that even ‘smaller’ parts can generate tons of star power, sopranos Rachel Copeland as Mercedes and Marie Masters as Frasquita nearly brought down the house whenever they unleashed their powerful voices. Well-matched in beauty, the two voices were easily distinguishable, one from the other. In short, they were truly magnificent as Carmen’s flirtatious friends.

Bass Jason Budd was a crafty Zuniga (in charge of the soldiers) of which bass David Hughey was a reliable representative. Dancers Kendall Garczewski and Jens Lee were fabulous in their two dances. (I have to also acknowledge the presence of Giorgio Spelvini as the Mayor of Seville, and wonder if—in real life—he might have been the real mayor of Youngstown.)

Costumes by Barbara Luce were bright and colorful and appropriate to the setting. (Escamillo’s were outstanding!) Lighting by J. Anthony Ferrello helped to create the cold and snowy mountain pass, as well as the sun-drenched streets of Seville.

The huge chorus was comprised of members of five local groups and provided ‘real’ people to appear on the stage in various roles. Good for them, especially the ‘senior’ gentlemen. In addition, members of a youth concert band contributed to the festivities on stage.

All of this demonstrates very well that Opera Western Reserve truly is a community effort, and is visibly supported in many ways, by the community it serves. Next year’s production will be Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata on November 12, 2010. For information, visit the web-site: http://www.operawesternreserve.org or call 330-480-0693.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz, who writes: My most recently published book is Ardenwycke Unveiled (e-book and trade paper). Cerridwen has another contemporary romance from me, But Not For Love, currently available only as an e-book, but perhaps will be in print next year. I hope to soon get around to completing some of the 30+ incomplete books in my computer!

By the way, Cerridwen has also accepted two of my short stories in their Scintillating Samples (complimentary reads) area: Song of the Swan and Unexpected Comfort. I love photography as well, as you can see here. Occasionally I teach writing workshops and sometimes do editing or ghostwriting on a free-lance basis. But over and above everything else, there's always been the writing. I can't imagine my life without it.