Carmen

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L Y R I C O P E R A O F C H I C A G O
6 | February 11 - March 25, 2017
Carmen! What a magically alluring character she is in literature, film, theater, and dance. But it’s in opera that she’s made her biggest
impact, as the center of a work that, for musical freshness, dramatic power, and sheer atmosphere, remains unsurpassed.
The way Lyric – and all other companies producing Georges Bizet’s Carmen – can deal with the appeal of this thrilling piece
is first to acknowledge that at this point it is perhaps the world’s most popular and best-known opera, boasting a larger number
of hit tunes than in any other opera. Obviously, we need to present it in a way
that captures its dramatic excitement and energy. At the same time, however, we
have the challenge of ensuring that our production offers more than a nostalgic
journey through our favorite tunes. And that is indeed a formidable challenge for
any company! If what we present to our audiences doesn’t try to recapture the
impact that caused such a scandal – but then such a success – at the first Carmen
performances, then we’ll be failing in our responsibility to this masterpiece. We
want to capture its theatricality, as well as the vividness of the characters and their
relationships, while also delivering the “thrill factor” in each and every memorable
melody.
And what melodies they are! Carmen’s Habanera and Seguidilla, Don José’s
Flower Song, Escamillo’s Toreador Song, Micaëla’s exquisite Act Three aria – we
discover all of this music anew and with joy. There is, too, the magic of Bizet’s
orchestration, which conjures up a dazzling image of sun-drenched Seville. This
season at Lyric we’re also presenting the work with spoken dialogue, which will
greatly enhance the immediacy and dramatic punch of this wonderful opera.
We’re delighted to present Carmen in a new production, created by a team
headed by Rob Ashford, who has directed both The Barber of Seville (his operatic
debut) and Carousel so successfully at Lyric. Those who remember Carousel will
realize how perfect Rob is for Carmen, thanks to his very keen choreographic focus
and his gifts as a master storyteller.
The performances will be divided between two exceptionally gifted conductors:
Harry Bicket, music director of The Santa Fe Opera, now branching out with triumphant success from the pre-1800 repertoire that
established him internationally; and Ainārs Rubiķis (Lyric debut), the Latvian conductor who has embarked on a meteoric ascent to
stardom since winning the Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award in 2010.
As usual with the most popular operas when we stage them at Lyric, Carmen will benefit from the performances of two different
couples in the central roles – we hope you’ll give yourself the pleasure of hearing them both! Carmen’s cast of world-renowned
stars includes two pairs of protagonists. Anita Rachvelishvili – in an eagerly awaited Lyric debut – will perform opposite Brandon
Jovanovich, each reprising roles they have performed all over the world. Ekaterina Gubanova, Lyric’s glamorous Foreign Princess in
Rusalka, will portray Carmen opposite the hero of last season’s Romeo and Juliet, Joseph Calleja, who added Don José to his repertoire
last season. Ryan Opera Center alumnus Christian Van Horn portrays Escamillo, after singing Narbal in Les Troyens last fall, and
Lyric audiences will meet for the first time an entrancing young Italian soprano, Eleonora Buratto, who will sing Micaëla.
We’re delighted that you’re here to savor the joys of Carmen with us!
From the General Director
STEVE LEONARD
Anthony Freud
General Director, President & CEO
The Women’s Board Endowed Chair