Diane Paulus’s new staging of Bizet’s Carmen opened the 2024 Glyndebourne Festival in East Sussex. This production transposes the opera to a grim, present-day setting in an unspecified, possibly far-right, Spanish-speaking country.
Rihab Chaieb stars as Carmen, rendering the character with a blend of rebelliousness and defiance. Dmitry Cheblykov shines as Escamillo, showcasing a macho appeal. However, Dmytro Popov's portrayal of Don José lacks dramatic conviction, despite his vocal prowess. Sofia Fomina's Micaëla is both touching and strong.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Robin Ticciati, delivers a detailed performance, with the choral singing particularly standing out. The production runs until August 24.