Opera Australia bringing CARMEN to Canberra

As part of the 25th anniversary of its national touring program, Opera Australia is bringing an exciting new production of Bizet’s Carmen by director Matthew Barclay to the Canberra Theatre Centre this July.

Opening in Victoria in May to enthusiastic acclaim, this brand new production of Bizet’s most famous opera is set in Franco’s socially conservative 1950’s Spain and follows the ill-fated relationship of a free spirited gypsy woman, the fiery Carmen, and the passionate and ultimately destructive police corporal-turned-rebel Don Jose.

Director and choreographer Matthew Barclay’s evocative mid-20th century transposition is a revving good fit, energetically choreographed and complimented by a strong, versatile cast….here is a great chance to see Carmen close up and be swept up in its simmering Spanish tragedy.” – Limelight, 17 May 2021.

Director Matthew Barclay is aware that this may be some people’s first encounter with Bizet’s work:

I’m so excited to have created this touring production of Carmen, I really hope it enables newcomers to fall in love with the opera.

Matthew said :

Carmen really has it all, some of opera’s greatest music and most famous tunes, Spanish flair, passion, tragedy and a truly enigmatic character in Carmen, but above all it’s about love.

The tour also provides an invaluable opportunity for local Canberra children to experience this traditional art form with a professional company, by participating in the children’s chorus. Under the direction of Children’s Chorus Master Kate Stuart, children are selected by local choir leaders and learn the music from Carmen before joining the professional cast for rehearsals and then on stage for the performance.

As Australia’s national opera company OA maintains the importance of performing across the country, as far and as wide as possible, to help Australians everywhere access the art form, experience the magic of opera and encourage children to pursue a career in music.

Over the past 25 years OA’s tour has traditionally alternated between the northern and southern states each year, covering more than 305,000kms to present more than 655 fully-staged performances in 117 different locations. For the 2021 ‘mega-tour’ of Australia, OA is making up for the cancelation of last year’s tour due to COVID by performing in more than 40 cities and towns across the country, from May through to August 2021.

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Session Details

Venue: Canberra Theatre Centre
Date: 08-10 July
Bookings:  Click on HERE