CLASSICAL NOTES

William Charlton-Perkins: Seize the moment, catch Carmen live at The Playhouse. (Courtesy of The Mercury)

Say the word Carmen, and the image of a capricious Spanish femme fatale ensnaring men before discarding them, springs to mind. She lives on, an indestructible legend, not only in the flamboyant medium of opera that Bizet’s masterpiece celebrates, but also through the many dance and film adaptations the famous work has undergone, since its premiere in Paris 136 years ago.

Inspired by Proper Mérimée's 1854 novel, which itself was probably influenced by Alexander Pushkin’s narrative poem, The Gypsies, Bizet’s unique genius imbues his central character with a steely life-force that defies her being straight-jacketed. To the extent that she has become a calling-card for singing actresses through the ages, imprinting their indelible signature interpretations of the role onstage, on record or in film.

Famous operatic performances captured on disc over the past few decades alone, range from the slinky gypsy seductresses of Victoria de los Angeles and Teresa Berganza, to the firebrand assumptions of Maria Callas, Grace Bumbry and Agnes Baltsa, to name just five among a galaxy of divas who have made the role their own.

A notable addition to the work’s DVD discography is a Decca film of the 2008 Covent Garden staging. This offers a searing portrayal by Italian soprano, Anna Caterina Antonacchi, opposite Jonas Kaufmann’s heart-wrenching Don José.

But there’s nothing like the real thing. If you’ve not yet secured tickets to one or both of the two live performances of Carmen at The Playhouse next week, get yourself to that ephemeral oasis in our cultural desert before it’s too late.

Accolades in The Cape Times for the production currently running at Artscape indicate that mezzo soprano Violina Anguelov will deliver a memorable Carmen when she reprises the role here. Readers may remember her deeply affecting performance in Handel’s Messiah at The Playhouse two years ago.

Other principal singers appearing in Carmen include Cape Town’s hot-property young tenor, Matthew Overmeyer, as the love-crazed Don José, multi award-winning soprano, Bronwen Forbay, as his faithful girlfriend, Micaëla, and baritone Theo Magongoma as the swaggering toreador, Escamillo.

Directed by Michael Williams, designed by Michael Mitchell and conducted by Naum Rousine, the production features a strong ensemble cast, with the Playhouse Company Chorale and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pre-booked tickets range from R75 to R105. Tickets purchased an hour before curtain-up range between R85 and R115. Booking is through Computicket on 083 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com, or through the Playhouse box office on 031 369 9540 (office hours).

Booking is advised through Computicket too for this evening’s final World Symphony Series concert of the KZN Philharmonic’s Summer Season. This has the 28-year-old Hungarian conductor, Tibor Bogányi, on the Durban City Hall podium. The first half of the programme comprises Handel’s Water Music Suite No 2 and Bach’s Magnificat, sung by Clermont Community, Durban Symphonic and Durban Chamber Choirs. Sopranos Thandulwazi Ncube and Nozuko Teto, mezzo soprano Mthokozo Mhlongo, tenor Mhlonishwa Dlamini and baritone Mthunzi Nokubeka are the evening’s soloists. After interval, Brahms’ Symphony No 4 brings the season to a close.

Free lunch-hour concerts take place at Howard College Theatre at 12h15 to 13h00, unless otherwise stated. Additional Wednesday concerts will be presented throughout the semester. For further information call 031 260 3353.