My Doggie and I just shared a Bruschetta Pizza with pepperoni and anchovies as we watched the 2014 Met Opera Version of Carmen.
The Pizza was magnificent.
The “Carmen’ was dull, grey, and disappointing.
And Don Jose sang nearly every note a quarter-tone sharper than the orchestra. That is an amazing feat, and honestly, i don’t know how it was possible, or why he did it.
A new interpretation, perhaps?
Well, what can one expect from the Company that has given us “The Death of Klinghoffer”.
I half expect John Adams (Not OUR “John Adams!) to come up with a new opera called “21 Christians beheaded on the Beach” and make ISIS the heroes.
I’m not kidding.
Oh...and Carmen sang the sparking and seductive “Habanera” while washing clothes in a bucket.
I am not making this up.
My favorite "Carmen" is still the 1984 Placido Domingo and Julia Migenes version done on film. Francesco Rosi directed a French opera about Spain as though it were an American movie musical. The amazing thing is that it worked. I have the DVD in my collection.