Set in Spain 1959, a period of Franco's fascist fiscal fiasco, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour's latest incarnation of Carmen gives us the glitz and glamour of post War Europe and off sets it with a gypsy crew of contrabandits. A Carmen not too removed from Evita, in some ways.Julie Lynch's costumes combines the traditional Flamenco fashion with Hollywood haute and similarly, Kelley Abbey's choreography contains traditional with a blaze of brazen Broadway.
At times resembling Chitty Chitty Bang Bang rather than Bizet, with an army truck and armoured tank “flown” in via industrial derrick, this rejigged extravaganza based on Gale Edwards' 2013 staging has been tweaked and tickled by Andy Morton and keeps the pace, momentum and spectacle humming along.
There's nothing terribly subtle about Carmen, and this production daubs in broad strokes, letting the music stir the audience, and the ostentatious spectacle of both the stage and the setting.
The mechanical contributions, the swivelling swing of the cranes is best used in Micaela's spying on the gypsy ring, secreted atop an airborne shipping container, bathed in a hue of Virgin Mary blue. Subtle no, spectacular yes.
Similarly, the matador, Escamillo, descends as if from Heaven, a pop star stadium arrival, for his final fling in the bull ring.
Designer Brian Thompson weaves his stage spell to the signature over-water set that features a 32 metre wide stage adorned by six Hollywood-inspired Carmen letters, and the generic symbol of Spain, El Toro.
Sung in French, with English and Chinese surtitles, it is interesting to hear the resemblance in the words L'amour and La Mort, a striking reminder of the double helix of love and hate, life and death that runs through Carmen.
Go for the location, go for the spectacle, go for the stirring songs and go for the strong and dynamic cast of singers and dancers who are slicker than the stage after a Sydney shower.
Opera Australia presents
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
Carmen
Bizet
Venue: Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point
Dates: March 24 – April 23 2017
Tickets: from $59
Boookings: (02) 9318 8200 | www.opera.org.au
