Carmen was recommended by Nietzsche as the perfect antidote to Wagnerian neurosis – both Brahms and Wagner admired it unreservedly – and it has always been an opportunity for star singers. We are delighted that Caitlin Hulcup, now with a successfully developing career in UK and Europe, comes home to Perth to do her first Carmen. We are also delighted to welcome to Australia the phenomenal young American tenor Garrett Sorenson, who is a regular guest at major North American houses, including the Metropolitan Opera. The splendid James Clayton and Zoe Kikiros complete the quartet of principals.
The opera created something of a scandal during its first season of 45 performances in 1875 at the Opera-Comique – with the fiery temperament and liberated attitude of the heroine, and the bad behaviour of the factory girls, causing disquiet amongst the upright citizens of Paris. Both chorus and orchestra had complaints in the first productions: the orchestra because of the focus in solo instruments, and the chorus because they were expected to act convincingly.
These quaint anecdotes from the early history of the work are now forgotten because of its universal popularity. It is a great drama of jealousy and obsession, ending in death, told with unforgettable melody – it is one of the most perfectly made operas in the repertory and a marvellous night in the theatre.