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 Carmen-the
Worldfs Most Famous Opera
Nancy Fabiois Herrera, One of a New Generation of Carmen Singers,
Will Appear in the Title Role of Passion and Devilishness
Carmen heads the list of popular operas and is so
famous that it has become a synonym for opera. Well-known
songs, including Lfamour est un oiseau rebelle
(Habanera) (Love is like a rebellious bird), Votre toast
je peux vous le rendre (Toreador march) (I can return
your toast) and La fleur que tu mfavais jetée
(Flower Song) (The flower which you threw me), which
everybody has heard at least once, appear one after another,
making every single scene a highlight of the opera. Based
on Prosper Mériméefs novel, Carmen portrays
a love-hate relationship between a man and a woman, and its
exotic music reminds one of Spanish passion. The dramatic
opera unfolds at a breathtaking speed.
The director, Di Mttia, uses strong contrasts of light and
shade and striking dance scenes to impress the fateful tragedy
on the audience. The title role will be sung by Nancy F. Herrera,
a native of Spain, who made her first appearances in her signatory
role of Carmen in Florence, Verona and Rome. Don José
and Escamillo will be played by the young singers, Hugh Smith
and Chester Patton, respectively, both of whom have been sweeping
across Europe. And with her beautiful voice that overflows
with emotion, Omura Hiromi, who studied in France and the
year before last suddenly made her debut in Japan as Violetta
in La Traviata, will take on the challenge of singing
as Micaëla. Expectations also grow for the NNTT debut
by Numajiri Ryusuke, who has attracted public attention as
an opera conductor with his conducting of the Tokyo Philharmonicfs
Opera Concertante series and the Japan premiere last year
of the three-act version of Lulu.
Synopsis
A cigarette factory girl, Carmen, admired by men of the town,
takes an interest in Don Jose, who is indifferent to her,
and seeks to win his attention by tossing him a rose. Although
he loves Micaëla, he soon becomes captivated by Carmen
and is persuaded to desert the Army and throw in his lot with
smugglers. But Carmen becomes disillusioned with Jose and
gives her heart to the toreador Escamillo. In front of the
bullring, from which loud cheering can be heard, José,
consumed by jealous rage, stabs Carmen in the heart.
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