|
I
first saw this in 1992 in Italy.
All Hail The Balls
Of A Toreador
Carmen - a Translated Synopsis
An "English" synopsis of the
opera Carmen, as it appeared in the program for a performance in Genoa,
Italy.
"Act
1.
Carmen is a cigarmakeress from a tobago factory who loves with Don Jose
(Duet: "Talk me of my mother"). There is a noise inside the tobago
factory and the revolting cigar-makeresses burst into the stage. Carmen
is arrested and Don Jose is ordered to mounting guard her but Carmen
subduces him and lets her escape.
"Act
2.
The Tavern. Carmen, Frasquito, Mercedes, Zuiniga, Morales. Carmen's
aria ("The sistrums are tinkling"). Enter
Escamillio, a balls-fighter. Enter two smuglers (Duet: "We
have in mind a business") but Carmen refuses to penetrate
because Don Jose has liberated her from prison. He just now arrives
(Aria: "Slop, here who comes") but here are the
bugles singing his retreat. Don Jose will leave and draws his sword.
Called by Carmen's shrieks the two smuglers interfere with her but Don
Jose is bound to dessert, he will follow into them (final chorus: "Opening
sky wandering life").
"Act
3.
A rocky landscape, the smugler's shelter. Carmen sees her death in
cards and Don Jose makes a date with Carmen for the next balls fight.
"Act
4.
A place in Seville. Procession of balls-fighters, the roaring of the
balls is heared in the arena. Escamillio enters (Aria and chorus: "Toreador,
toreador, All hail the balls of a Toreador"). Enter Don Jose
(Aria: "I do not threaten, I besooch you") but
Carmen repels him wants to join with Escamillio now chaired by the
crowd. Don Jose stabbs her (Aria: "Oh rupture, rupture, you
may arrest me. I did kill her") he sings "Oh my
beautiful Carmen, my subductive Carmen."
|