Carmen charms

WHAT a great pity this was a one night only performance.

Ellen Kent, who is well-known for her touring operatic spectaculars, easily pulled off another splendid success at Malvern’s Festival Theatre to considerable acclaim from a near full house.

Ms Kent is an award winning producer of many of the major operas and this popular and charming story of fiery temptress, the gypsy girl, Carmen, was certainly performed with gusto by the excellent mezzo soprano Liza Kadelnik.

Set in the Spanish city of Seville, this production is performed in French with easily followed English subtitles ..

The naive corporal, Don Jose, played by tenor Vitalii Liskovetskiy, falls hopelessly in love with the flirtatious Carmen, who flits from one soldier to another and soon sets her sight on the glamorous toreador Escamillo, performed by baritone, Iuri Gisca.

As they taunt their love before the poor besotted Don Jose, there are inevitable tragic consequences and Carmen is killed.

One of the highlights of the evening for the audience was a special appearance of the stunningly beautiful Caspian, a white Andalucian stallion, who opened the third part of this opera.

Who can fail to enjoy the music of this dramatic opera, especially the memorable March of the Toreadors.

The whole evening was a delight and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, who would surely agree that one night was not enough when the treat is as good as this.

VRW