REVIEW: Carmen, The Lyceum
THE curtain went up on the famous opera Carmen with a cameo performance by Stannington Brass Band.
But the tale of love and betrayal soon stepped into gear, the hot and humid air of the Lyceum adding to the atmosphere of the Georges Bizet's opera set in Seville in the latter half of the 19th century.
In four acts, powerful playing from the orchestra pit and crystal clear voices from the stage depict the story of gypsy temptress Carmen and the lover she bewitches and then ditches, Don Jose.
A rich array of costumes and the passion of flamenco danced by Samantha Quy highlighted the intensity of the love and rivalry at the heart of the story.
Among a strong company of eastern European songers, stepping in at the last minute to cover for illness, Romanian mezzo soprano Gabriella Hazarean superbly portrayed the seductive charms of the sultry but hard-hearted fem fetale in the classic tale of ill-fated love.
Fist, sword and knife fights litter the script of the tale of love and rivalry set among gypsy smugglers, soldiers and matadors, played out in an amphitheatre set.
And in a twist to further highlight the strong Mediterranean passions of the plot, the Ellen Kent production shifts the final act to that icon symbol of Spanish hot blooded action – the bull ring – where the tragedy plays out its bloody end.
The performance, in French with English subtitles, is repeated tonight at 7.30pm. For tickets, call the Lyceum box office on 0114 249 6000 or visit www. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.
Simon Bebbington
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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