Carmen takes to the Mandela Stage
Linette van der Merwe will be singing the name role and her jealous lover Don José will be sung by South African tenor, Stéfan Louw.
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Sempre Opera, founded in 2011, is proud to announce its upcoming production in collaboration with Joburg Theatre, of Carmen by George Bizet on the Mandela Stage from June 3 to 10.
Bizet’s masterpiece blends passion, seduction, jealousy, betrayal and even a little law-breaking, all set to one of the most famous scores ever composed.
Set in Seville, Spain, a gypsy is determined to live life on her own terms. The passionate triangle of the world-wise gypsy woman, the jealous soldier who loses everything to love her and the toreador that will win her, is one of the world’s most loved operas.
The desperate young soldier, Don José, is led astray from his village life and love, the adoring village girl Micaëla, as he chases the irresistible and enchanting gypsy, Carmen.
Carmen’s seduction and charms lead Don José into obsession and ruin when she leaves him for the swaggering bullfighter, Escamillo.
The opera, directed by well-known baritone Danie Verster, will be fully staged and features the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Schalk van der Merwe, one of South Africa’s ambitious, upcoming conductors.
Experience this most vivid of operas, performed by a dynamic local and international cast which includes Linette van der Merwe (mezzo-soprano) who will be singing the name role and her jealous lover Don José will be sung by South African tenor, Stéfan Louw.
Tickets are available from www.joburgtheatre.com or contact the box office on 0861 670 670.