San Diegans may think they know the opera “Carmen,” but the San Diego Opera production of Georges Bizet’s tragedy that opened a three-day run Friday at the San Diego Civic Theatre is filled with surprises.
First, the two singers originally cast to play Carmen and Don José on Friday and Sunday were replaced in the past week (fortunately with two very good artists). And director Keturah Stickan’s staging — based on Minnesota Opera’s 2022 production created by Denyce Graves, who played Carmen dozens of times before she retired in January — has a clear female-centered viewpoint.
Aleksey Bogdanov as the bullfighter Escamillo in San Diego Opera’s “Carmen” at the San Diego Civic Theatre. (J. Katarzyna Woronowicz)
Judging by the costumes, which like the scenery was rented from Minnesota Opera, this “Carmen” has been moved forward from the mid-1800s to sometime in the 20th century, where the gypsy Carmen wears the pants, both literally and figuratively, and she twists the story’s usual ending.
As Carmen’s internal fortitude grows during the three-hour production, she moves closer to the front of the stage and into the spotlight. But her lover, the increasingly controlling and unhinged army corporal Don José, is gradually dimished to lurking in the shadows and hiding in crowds.
But no matter how strong Carmen becomes, her destiny — embodied by a wraithlike old woman who turns up whenever the orchestra plays Bizet’s 10-note fate motif — is predetermined.
The season-closing production is a lavish staging with a large principal cast, adult and children’s choruses conducted by Bruce Stasyna, the San Diego Symphony conducted by Louis Lhoraseb in his company debut, professional flamenco dancers Kristina Cobarrubia and Juan Moyoli and local classical guitarist Fred Benedetti, who performs a solo for the audience during a mid-show scenery change.
It’s a beautifully conceived staging, but it’s not pretty. It’s ominous, gritty, bloody and dark. The crumbling industrial scenery by Riccardo Hernández is visually stunning and versatile, and it’s gorgeously illuminated by lighting designer Robert Wierzel.
Lisa Marie Rogali as Carmen and Matthew White as Don Jose in San Diego Opera’s “Carmen” at the San Diego Civic Theatre. (J. Katarzyna Woronowicz)
Making their company debuts as Carmen and Don José on Friday were mezzo-soprano Lisa Marie Rogali and tenor Matthew White, respectively. (They replaced Melody Wilson and Thomas Kinch.) On Saturday night, the roles will be played by Guadalupe Paz and Jonny Kaufman, and Rogali and White will return Sunday afternoon.
What’s especially refreshing about Rogali and White is their relative youth, which more closely matches the mid-20s ages of their characters in Prosper Mérimée’s original 1845 “Carmen” novel. Rogali has a lush and creamy voice that fits the role of Carmen well, particularly in her “Habanera” number, and she’s got both fire and playfulness in her personality. White has a warm and precisely placed voice showed off especially well in his “Flower” aria. He also realistically depicts his character’s psychological decline.
There’s no romantic chemistry between Rogali and White, but that may be purposeful. In this production, most of the Spanish men are leering, grabbing, demanding predators, so Carmen merely capitalizes on their base desires to survive. Only the gypsy men, who lead the smuggling gang that Carmen and Don José join late in the opera, treat women as respected equals.
Big-voiced soprano Lydia Gridatto is a cast standout in the role of Micaëla, Don José’s callously discarded girlfriend. Baritone Aleksey Bogdanov is a scene-stealing delight as the vain bullfighter Escamillo. And bass singer DeAndre Simmons has a velvety sound and comic presence as the ethically challenged army captain Zuniga.
This is San Diego Opera’s 11th production of “Carmen.” I’ve seen about of half of them over the years, so having a few surprises on Friday was a welcome change.
San Diego Opera presents ‘Carmen’
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29
Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown
Tickets: $55-$305
Phone: 619-533-7000
Online: sdopera.org
Aleksey Bogdanov as Escamillo in San Diego Opera’s “Carmen” at the San Diego Civic Theatre. (J. Katarzyna Woronowicz)