On Friday September 28, The Metropolitan Opera will revive the acclaimed Richard Eyre Production of Carmen.
Bizet's opera tells the story of the downfall of Don José, a naive soldier whom the gypsy, Carmen, seduces. José abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts his military duties, yet loses Carmen's love to the glamorous toreador Escamillo after which José kills her in a jealous rage.
Friday night's performance will see the return of Mezzo Soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, who made her house debut in 2011 in the same role. Rachvelishvili made her career debut as Carmen at La Scala in 2009 and since then has become one of the most popular exponents in the role.
Rising star tenor Yonghoon Lee will make his Met role debut as Don Jose and British sensation soprano Kate Royal makes her role debut as Michaela. The promising Kyle Ketelson also stars as Escamillo. Michele Mariotti makes his long awaited Met debut in the podium.
Carmen will be performed on September 28, October 2, 6, 11, 15 and 18.
The production will then return in February with Rachvelishvili still in the title role but with new castmates. Ekaterina Scherbachencko makes her awaited Met debut. Scherbachenko came to prominence after winning the prestigious Cardiff singer of the world competition and has since become one of the most promising artists. Austrian dramatic tenor Nikolai Schukoff will make his Met debut for the first performances and Andrew Richards, who was originally scheduled for the whole February run, will make his Met debut in the last two performances. Teddy Tahu Rhodes returns to his acclaimed Escamillo. The February run will be performed on 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 26 and March 1.
David Salazar of Latinospost will be in attendance at tonight's performance so expect a review tomorrow.
Below are some clips of the cast members:
Rachvelishvili as Carmen in a Verona Production from 2012
Teddy Tahu Rhodes Sings Escamillo in a performance from the Met Opera's new production in 2009
For more information on the schedule and tickets, go to the Met's official website.