‘Carmen’ at Teatro di San Carlo

This month, Dan Ettinger makes his return to the Teatro di San Carlo to conduct their production of Bizet’s Carmen, marking his third season as the company’s music director.

Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca, the staging features set design by Hugo Gargiulo and costume design by Giovanna Buzzi. Pasca’s interpretation of this intense drama skillfully utilizes light and shadow to illuminate the opera’s central themes, crafting a visually striking experience that highlights the complexity of its characters without resorting to stereotypes.

The phenomenal cast features Aigul Akhmetshina (October 25, 27, 29, 31) and Victoria Karkacheva (November 2) as Carmen, alongside Dmytro Popov (October 25, 27, 29, 31) and Jean-François Borras (November 2) as Don José. Mattia Olivieri takes on the role of Escamillo, with Selene Zanetti (October 25, 27, 29, 31) and Désirée Giove (November 2) portraying Micaëla. The cast also includes Pierre Doyen as Moralès, Nicolò Donini as Zuniga, Floriane Hasler as Mercédès, Andrea Cueva Molnar as Frasquita, Régis Mengus as Dancairo, Loïc Félix as Remendado, Silvia Cialli as an Orange Seller, Giacomo Mercaldo as a Gypsy, and Sergio Valentino as Lillas Pastia.

Performances are scheduled for October 25, 27, 29, 31, and November 2.

Photo: Jürgen Altmann