Carmen is actually one of the first verismo operas that preceded the “manifesto” of the Italian artistic movement.
Its style, and the death of the title heroine, which were at variance with the established opéra comique conventions, seem to have been the reason why the work did not give rise to much public enthusiasm at and in the wake of the world premiere in Paris in 1875. Yet Carmen soon triumphed in other European cities.
The opera was first presented in Prague in 1880, at the Estates Theatre. The National Theatre staged in on 3 January 1884, shortly after its opening, as the very first foreign opera. In our new production, the story of Don José, a soldier who falls madly in love with the Gypsy Carmen, will be retold by the German director Grischa Asagaroff.
The score will be explored and the performance conducted by Jaroslav Kyzlink, the music director of the National Theatre Opera.
Staged in french.
Premiere performances: 8 and 10 October 2020 at the National Theatre
