Tracker Pixel for Entry

​FM Opera’s 50th Season Capped Off with Carmen

Theatre | April 10th, 2019

Carmen - photograph provided by John Showalter

Countless examples can be found throughout the history of great art that was only recognized as such after the life of the artist that created it. Such is true of Georges Bizet’s opera "Carmen."  While its reception during his lifetime could be arguably be referred to as ‘lukewarm’, it went on to become of the most widely performed and recognized works in the opera repertoire. One would think that a story of love, jealousy, revenge, and a fiery femme fatale would have perennial appeal, but Bizet’s down-to-earth realism and portrayal of such a strong-willed woman scandalized audiences in his time.

Perhaps it is the tumultuous history of this opera that lends itself to being a perfect production to cap off the 50th anniversary of Fargo-Moorhead Opera. While this isn’t the first performance of "Carmen" that FM Opera has put on (it’s the fourth, the last time being about ten years ago), the general director of FM Opera David Hamilton assures, “The director isn’t pulling any punches.” He is reprising a role in the opera that he played almost 35 to 40 years ago as one of Carmen’s gypsy smuggler companions. “We wanted to end the season with a big bang.”

Despite the action of the opera being set in Seville, Spain, the opera’s libretto is actually in Bizet’s native tongue of French, so it only made sense for such a momentous production put on by FM Opera to actually bring on a stage director from France, the acclaimed Maria Todaro. In this production of Carmen, she updates the backdrop of the opera from the late 1870s of the original production to the 1930s, in the midst of the Spanish Civil War.

“This is a more feminist take on Carmen,” said Hamilton, which is perhaps only fitting considering that "Carmen" is arguably one of the foremost portrayals in opera of a strong-willed woman who refuses to let any man control her life. “It’s a powerful story. I think people will enjoy how immediately relatable this updating of the production is,” Hamilton added. The opera will be sung in its original French, with subtitles projected above the stage. This production will also include unsung dialogue, or recitatif, like the original production, which Hamilton said helps move the narrative along.

The opera concerns the titular Carmen, a sultry, free-spirited femme fatale who catches the eye of the soldier Don Jose. Don Jose, over the course of the narrative, becomes so entranced by her beauty and vitality that he forgets not only his vows to the woman he originally promised himself to, the meek Micaela, a village maiden, but also to the army, leading him to be thrown in jail on Carmen’s behalf when he lets her escape arrest after causing a disturbance at the cigarette factory she works at. When he is let out two months later, he is still so in thrall to Carmen that he assaults his superior officer, deserts the army, and joins the gypsy band that Carmen helps smuggle contraband. However, he soon finds himself jilted as a virile young bullfighter named Escamillo starts to win Carmen’s affections. Don Jose’s all-consuming jealousy leads him to pursue Carmen and brings on the shocking act that ends the opera.

The role of the titular character in FM Opera’s 50th anniversary performance is played by Hilary Ginther, has previously worked with them when she was part of the Gate City Bank Young Artist Program about six years ago. All of 2019’s Young Artist Program members are also in this production, as well. The rest of the cast is comprised of performers both from this area and around the country, including the famed conductor Eric Weimer from Chicago. Our own Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra will provide the instrumentation.

Even those who have never seen Carmen are bound to recognize several pieces of music from it because of their wide use in other media, such as television and film. Such pieces include the famous “Habanera”, “The Toreador’s Song”, and “Seguidilla”. It is a story that contains the ever-popular subject matter of love and jealousy and the lengths to which it will drive people, making it a great piece for a neophyte to dip their toe into the expansive world of opera.

IF YOU GO:

"Carmen"

April 12-13, 7:30 p.m.

Festival Concert Hall NDSU

Recently in:

MayFargo MarathonNow - May 20Youth run Thursday, 5K Friday night, 10K, half and full marathon, entertainment along route on Saturday. fargomarathon.comKids to Park DayMay 20Bring the kids to Theault Farm in Fargo for crafts,…

By John Showalter john.d.showalter@gmail.comHuman rights is a subject that often comes up in the media. One has only to tune in to any of the major news broadcasters to hear heated debate and discussion regarding the treatment of…

Event by Moorhead Parks & Recreation and Swing Barrel Brewing Company, LLCW. H. Davy Memorial Park, 1st Ave & 8th St N, MoorheadTuesday, June 27, 5:30-8pmThe Gina Powers Band + Petting ZooHeather & Thistle Pipes and DrumsArt…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comOur opinion: Keep your chins up, class of 2023As the school year draws to a close, this seems to be the time of year when most editors offer up their best advice to the most recent graduating…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comQuestion for 2024: Will a Billion Guns and a Quadrillion Bullets Make DSA Safer?Ever since Lucy fell out of an African tree 3.2 million years ago, animals have been designing new ways to kill each…

We are looking for 55-gallon plastic food grade barrels, do you have ideas or connections?We use these barrels to teach our resilient yard workshop series including Make Your Own Rain Barrel and Make Your Own Compost Tumbler. If…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.comSpring has finally sprung. It’s time to bounce out of the house and try a few new places to eat. Let’s explore what restaurants are trending on the Fargo-Moorhead Eats Facebook page. With nearly…

Event information provided by Morgan Thompson, Marketing and Sales Associate, FARGODOMEMThompson@fargodome.comIt’s the official kickoff of summer, and the return of the best BBQ around and look who’s going to be there! Getting…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comWriter-director Nicole Holofcener leans in – all the way in – to the sturdy milieu of the well-heeled, narcissist-inhabited, New York-based comedy landscape dominated for so many decades by…

Hjemkomst Center 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead  April 25, 3:30-7:30pmPaint a rock, make a stranger smile and be a part of the movement! Keep your rock or add it to the pile to be labeled, sealed and…

By Eric Dallmanericd@hpr1.comWe recently watched “The PROM” at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and it was an experience that left a lasting impact on us. The story, a heartwarming yet familiar one, follows a group of Broadway stars…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comSpring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer. Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just…

By John Showalter  john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…

By Traci Sethre  traci.sethre@gmail.comAn integral piece of fencing is your mask. Its integrity keeps you safe. It’s typically painted black to hide your face…

By Ken and Alice Christiansonsubmit@hpr1.com HB 1332 is currently before the North Dakota legislature. The bill proposes to permit social workers to use a discredited treatment method to convert the sexual orientation of gay and…