Bizet - Carmen (2-DVD)

Macerata’s new Carmen marked the debut in opera direction for the home-child Dante Ferretti, the set designer who scored no less than nine nominations and two Academy Awards. Despite his involvement with Hollywood pageantry, Ferretti devised a minimalist set drawing from Francoist Spain during the 1930s-40s, as depicted, among others, by Luís Buñuel’s movies and Ernest Hemingway’s novels. A touch of Italian Neorealismo is also clearly recognizable. To quote Ferretti ” the most relevant element on stage must be the emotional reaction stirred by the story “ and “what strikes the most on the Sferisterio stage is the emptiness that leaves room for imagination” And also:” Light …is a basic element to enhance the singers’ voices and acting skills. Bizet’s opera is imbued with passion, betrayal and the singers must have room to express their talent…” Reviews
“…a highly “musical” and talented cast (Nino Surguladze, Irina Lungu, Philippe Do).” - M. Zurletti – La Repubblica – 28-07-08
“The singing cast fared well overall, with Irina Lungu a sexier and more assertive Micaëla than usually expected and Nino Surguladze vocally perfect”
“As a passionate and lightweight Don José, Philippe Do from Vietnam ventured a high D in his “La fleur”. If not perfect throughout, his unconventional performance was stimulating.”
“To all that, Sergio Rossi’s clever lighting and prima ballerina Anbeta Toromani from Albania contributed a touch of class. Toromani’s amazingly long-limbed body seems a display of pinnacles and acute-angled forms. Whether in a traditional pas de deux or in modern free style, she can entice with serpentine motions of a very intimate character, then suddenly whirl through the air like a winged flower.” - Carlo Vitali – Opera Today – 28-08-2008