Carmen tells the story of the the seductive gypsy Carmen, the soldier Don Jose, and the dashing matador Escamillo. Photo courtesy of Orchestra Iowa.
Experience Bizet’s vibrant and beloved opera Carmen at the Paramount Theatre, tonight, Friday, January 17, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 19, at 2 p.m. Sung in French with English supertitles, Carmen is directed by Bill Ferrara with Orchestra Iowa Musicians directed by Daniel Kleinknecht. The opera features Iowa native, mezzo-soprano Janara Kellerman in the title role, and baritone Philip Torre in the role of Escamillo, the Toreador. Tenor Alok Kumar is the soldier Don Jose.
An Adult Opera Chorus will join with Cedar Rapids Opera Young Artists and area high school students to create energetic chorus numbers throughout the opera along with a lively Children’s Opera Chorus.
Carmen, first performed in Paris, on March 3, 1875 is Georges Bizet’s most well known opera. The story tells the passionate tale of the seductive and fiery gypsy Carmen, soldier Don José who is captivated by her charms, and the dashing matador Escamillo. The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on a novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée.
Carmen is played by mezzo-soprano Janara Kellerman. Photo courtesy of Orchestra Iowa.
A free pre-opera talk will be held one hour prior to each performance. Tonight’s talk will be held in the Encore Lounge at 7 p.m. and Sunday’s talk will be held in the Opus Café at 1 p.m. A Gypsy Brunch will also be held on Sunday, January 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Encore Lounge with tapas and a Bloody Mary bar, live music, and an up-close and personal look at the set with the director. The brunch is a fundraiser for Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre’s Young Artist Program. Email vmichalicek@cr-opera.org for tickets.
Tickets for the show are available online at orchestraiowa.org. For more information about the opera, visit cr-opera.org.