Opera is back with a bang at the Degollado Theater in Guadalajara come November, wedged amid the fall/winter season of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO).
Three works are scheduled, the highlight undoubtably three performances of “Carmen,” the four-act masterpiece with music by Georges Bizet and libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella by Prosper Mérimée.
The other operas are “The Child and the Spells” by Maurice Ravel and “The Elixir of Love” by Gaetano Donizetti.
Patrons should expect “Carmen” and “The Elixir of Love” to be fully-fledged, no-holds-barred productions, as the Jalisco Culture Department is sharing sponsorship with the heavyweight National Council for Culture and the Arts (Conaculta). The Jalisco State Choir will perform in both operas.
Playing the role of Carmen will be Italian mezzo-soprano José Maria Lo Monaco. Mexico’s Ragnar Conde is the stage director for the two operas, while JPO Director Marco Parisotto takes the baton for “Carmen” and Carlos García for “The Elixir of Love.”
“The Child and the Spells” – Saturday, November 1, 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 2, 6:30 p.m.
“Carmen” – Wednesday, November 12, Friday, November 14, 8 p.m.; and Sunday, November 16, 6:30 p.m.
“The Elixir of Love” – Friday, November 28, 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 30, 6:30 p.m.