Carmen featuring the music by Bizet is part of the Ellen Kent farewell tour which also includes Madame Butterfly with music by Puccini. Two popular, iconic and well known Opera’s.
Opera producer Kent’s career has spanned over the last thirty-three years and this farewell tour began in January and continues through to May 2026. There’s plenty of time for audiences across the country to catch one of the two touring productions.
The story is based around a beautiful free-spirited young gypsy girl who seduces a soldier only to abandon him for the local bullfighter. Performed over four acts.
The three-hour production features “The Toreador’s Song”, “The Flower Song” and “Habanera” all sung in French with English subtitles running in a bar across the top of the stage. Audiences don’t miss any of the storyline although without reading anything the cast brings the story to life and you can follow what is taking place through the superb performances by the entire cast.
This production is performed by Opera International Kyiv, Ukraine. Starring international soloists Mariia Davydova (mezzo-soprano), Elena Dee (soprano), and Viktoria Melnyk (soprano).
Davydova, in the role of Carmen, brings a sense of the passion audiences expect from the beguiling temptress. Whose beauty and character draw in the local men almost casting a spell over them, and they will risk everything to be with her. Although I personally wanted to see more passion and felt the character was slightly holding back at times.
However, Viktoria Melnyk, who plays the role of Micaëla, the abandoned girlfriend deserves a special mention. From the moment she began to sing I wanted to hear more. Melnyk has a commanding yet gentle soprano which led to a believable performance that she was deeply in love with Don José (Hovhannes Andreasyan) and is left heartbroken by his betrayal of leaving her for Carmen.
The storyline is easy to follow, the subtitles are clear, and an incredibly strong cast all round which makes this version of Carmen a perfect Opera for anyone who hasn’t seen an Opera before and will be enjoyed by those who are seasoned Opera fans.
For more information about Carmen and future productions at The Anvil in Basingstoke please use the link below.
Four Stars.
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