Carmen at Coliseu dos Recreios
REVIEW BY ANTÓNIO LOURENÇO. 14/08/2025
@chmagazine
Opera in Four Acts by Bizet, libretto by Meilhac and Halévy after Merimée's novella (1845). Bizet’s final opera — one of his greatest successes and perhaps the most frequently performed opera in the world. The composer died on the night of its 23rd performance. This opera continues to thrill audiences and fill concert halls.
This production, staged by Alejandro Contreras and performed at the Coliseu de Lisboa, was both inventive and practical, with projected panels enhancing the visual effect. It delighted us with genuine flamenco dancing,
full of passion and Andalusian color! The story of a rebellious woman, Carmen, whose passionate and gitana spirit challenges the norms of society.
Working in a cigarette factory, she was portrayed and sung by mezzo-soprano Maria Luisa Corbacho, whose voice has a rich tone color(timbre), expressive, and passionate, with a strong stage presence. Carmen’s famous arias,' L’Amour est un Oiseau Rebelle' and the 'Habanera', were delivered with seductive charm and connected emotionally with the audience.
It should be noted that, since the renovations of the Coliseu in 1993, the venue now requires sound amplification (whereas before, voices could be heard naturally projecting above the orchestra —as a result of strong vocal technique).
Our evaluation is thus based on the sound as heard through speakers, which ideally should be finely adjusted to create the illusion of natural acoustics — something not always achieved.
As for tenor José Eduardo Sandoval in the role of Don José: endowed with a spinto voice, rounded tone, and a touch of dramatic tenor quality, he brought emotional depth to the duet with Micaela (sung by lyric soprano Maria Ruiz), capturing the innocence of a young woman bringing news from her lover’s mother.
In this demanding duet, which features a high tessitura (more suited to a lighter tenor), Sandoval reached the high notes in falsetto,
but with beauty and musical precision.
His rendition of 'La fleur que tu m’avais jetée' was passionate, with a beautiful, warm, expressive timbre.
This brought to mind a performance of Carmen at the same venue in the 1960s with one of the world’s greatest tenors, Franco Corelli,
who famously sang the aria in Italian, much to the audience’s astonishment!
Conductor Maestro Ariza led the Histerian Symphony Orchestra with control and expressiveness, carefully balancing the sound to avoid overpowering the singers.
The rest of the cast was also strong — particularly Escamillo (baritone), who sang the famous Toreador aria with flair, fine tone, and vigor.
Likewise, Frasquita and Zuniga proved to be excellent singers and actors.
The opera Carmen is structured in 4 acts:
Act 1 – A lively square in Seville, around 1829. Micaela (soprano), a peasant girl, is searching for Don José (tenor), a corporal in the guard. Carmen appears, stirring fascination and disorder.
Act 2 – At Lillas Pastia’s tavern, a smugglers’ hideout. The bullfighter Escamillo (baritone) arrives and attracts Carmen with the famous Toreador song. Don José, increasingly entangled, begins to lose control.
Act 3 – In a mountain cave used by the smugglers. Carmen grows emotionally distant from José and becomes increasingly drawn to Escamillo. Micaela arrives, pleading with José to return to his dying mother.
Act 4 – Outside the bullring in Seville. Carmen promises her love to Escamillo if he wins the fight. Don José, consumed by jealousy, confronts her. The opera ends in tragedy: he kills Carmen.
A true celebration of opera, with the audience applauding enthusiastically, hoping that nights like this may happen more often, thanks to the Producer Group Chiado!
#CARMEN @Coliseudosrecreios @grupochiado
Thanks to: Grupo Chiado, Sandra Godinho