Carmen at Glyndebourne: a timeless tragedy

Dmytro Popov (Don José) and Rihab Chaieb (Carmen)

Dmitry Cheblykov (Escamillo) and dancers

Glyndebourne Chorus, Glyndebourne Youth Opera, and Trinity Boys Choir

Kezia Bienek (Mercédès), Rihab Chaieb (Carmen) and Elisabeth Boudreault (Frasquita)

Rihab Chaieb (Carmen) and Glyndebourne Chorus

By David Karlin, 17 May 2024

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“expertly calibrated to portray the passions of a crowd working itself to fever pitch”

Reviewed at Glyndebourne Opera House, Glyndebourne on 16 May 2024

Bizet, Carmen

Glyndebourne Festival Opera

Robin Ticciati, Conductor

Diane Paulus, Director

Riccardo Hernandez, Set Designer

Evie Gurney, Costume Designer

Malcolm Rippeth, Lighting Designer

London Philharmonic Orchestra

The Glyndebourne Chorus

Rihab Chaieb, Carmen

Dmytro Popov, Don José

Dmitry Cheblykov, Escamillo

Sofia Fomina, Micaëla

Dingle Yandell, Zuniga

Alex Otterburn, Moralès

Elisabeth Boudreault, Frasquita

Kezia Bienek, Mercédès

Loïc Félix, Le Dancaïre

François Piolino, Le Remendado

Jasmin Vardimon, Choreography

Glyndebourne revives Michieletto’s Kátya Kabanová

Mark Valencia, 3rd August

Damiano Michieletto’s production of Janáček’s opera breaks a key tenet of high-concept opera: where it should reveal, it obfuscates.

***11

All the world’s a jest: Falstaff returns to Glyndebourne

Mark Pullinger, 23rd July

Richard Jones' 2009 production returns to Glyndebourne after a long absence, but the 1940s comedy scrubs up fresh.

***11

A strong new Figaro opens at Glyndebourne

Dominic Lowe, 29th June

Mariame Clément is a popular director at Glyndebourne, and her new production of Figaro shows her trademark approach to hardhitting comedy.

****1

Glyndebourne's Saul still packs a punch 10 years on

Nick Boston, 8th June

Returning from the original run, Christopher Purves and Iestyn Davies were joined by a strong cast and chorus for a revival of Barrie Kosky's striking production.

*****

Unhurried suspense in a very English Parsifal

Peter Quantrill, 17th May

Compelling singers carry the day in the Glyndebourne Festival Opera's first staging of Wagner’s swansong.

****1

Glyndebourne’s season opens with Rossini’s Barber of Seville

David Karlin, 16th May

Annabel Arden’s production provides joyous comedy, with vocal and orchestral performances of the very finest.

*****

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Carmen at Glyndebourne: a timeless tragedy brought vividly to today