Theater Night Out 12 : Carmen at Odeon of Herodes Atticus

On rare occasions you are lucky to witness magic. And one of these occasions was the divine voice of Anita Rachvelishvili who sung Carmen.

The opera Carmen by Georges Bizet is symbolizing love and liberty and it is the most popular opera in the French repertoire. It is directed by the famous British director, Steven Langridge, currently Artistic Director of the Gothenburg Opera. Langridge’s Carmen was first staged at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theater in 2016 and is a contemporary, pointed, timely version set in a Europe of closed borders and poverty.

I have also seen the 2016 Carmen and found this modern approach very interesting. This version was improved, even though some modernisms could be avoided in my opinion.

Anyway, the performance took place at Herodeum an ancient open theater in the center of Athens. It’s a place with a special vibe…

Where you can take great selfies …

And pictures of the moon …

Ok , back to performance…

The emblematic and demanding role of Carmen was performed by one of the top lyrical artists, on her first time in Greece. Mezzo soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, the star of Teatro alla Scala, Metropolitan Opera and Paris Opera, in considered the most successful contemporary Carmen.

With her imposing, fierce, wild figure, with an impressive vocal range and quality, Rachvelishvili, who started from Georgia and concurred the world, seems like the ideal personality for the particular role. Anita was absolutely fantastic. Even though I was sitting at the upper tier , it was like she was singing next to me.

Equally great was tenor Pavel Černoch in the role of Don Jose. The rest of the cast were members of the Greek National Opera.

There was participation of Greek National Opera’s Chorus and Children’s Chorus.

The Greek National Orchestra was conducted by Loukas Karytinos.

I have found a couple of videos. This one has interviews.

And this one is from the rehearsals. If you don’t have time to watch the whole video go at the fourth minute.

That was from me. There is one more performance at 31 of July. I think there are still tickets. Do yourself a favor and watch it.

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Would you recommend it? – YES
Would you see it again? – YES

And until the next Theatre Night Out …
Be Healthy, Smile and Steem.