Palm Beach Post review of Carmen

Opera Review: Carmen

By Sharon McDaniel

Palm Beach Post Music Writer

Friday, April 07, 2006

Carmen's popularity is so widespread, it easily qualifies as a household name. We cheerily whistle the Toreador song and hum the Habanera, each as recognizable as today's pop tunes.

But never far from mind is the opera's impact: Carmen hits like an emotional brick wall. A strong dramatic cast confirmed that Wednesday night at Wellington High School, despite working at a disadvantage.
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South Florida Opera Company staged Carmen as its big 10th season finale. But instead of enjoying a milestone, Artistic Director Francesco Pace found himself knee-deep in new problems.

At the first rehearsal with orchestra, it became clear to the cast, chorus and Pace that there was a serious problem. The orchestra of 12, contracted at union scale five months ago, simply could not measure up. That gave Pace less than 48 hours to find a pianist who could handle 200 pages of score and two hours of nearly nonstop playing. But singers and conductor agreed: a pianist was the best compromise.

The problems kept coming. Not all of the costumes ordered from New York arrived in time. Just one day before the opening, Pace still didn't have everything in place for a complete run-through, much less a dress rehearsal.

Yet Wednesday night, the cast, with pianist Nana Morimoto, managed to pull off the near-impossible. In front of the company's attractive, newly built sets, the 19 singers plus boys' chorus, gypsy dancer, conductor and pianist produced more than should have been possible.

Their convincing, enjoyable and lively Carmen drew out the fun and the foreboding. The singers' enthusiastic, can-do spirit and excellent French diction greeted you head on. Magnificent, familiar melodies did the rest.

As Carmen, New York mezzo-soprano Janis Eckhart battled vocal problems. Singing quietly, she could suppress the wobble in her big voice and focus the lower notes. She rallied for fine closing scenes, and also fleshed out the role with intriguing character details.

As her Don Jose was James Clark, a tenor of bold outbursts and the odd vocal tightness. But his Flower Song to Carmen was deeply touching. An hour later, he went murderously psychotic on us.

There were some terrific "finds" and reacquaintances, primarily Boynton Beach soprano Marie Ashley as Michaela, Don Jose's country girlfriend. Her tender Act I scene with him was an early bull's-eye; her later warm, full-voice solos were stirring.

Of returning guests, Michigan stage director Michael Gillespie dotted the "i's" with wonderful irony. California conductor Brian Asher Alhadeff kept the energy high.

The performer winning the most applause was excellent pianist Morimoto, who could make you forget there was no orchestra.

South Florida Opera Company repeats Bizet's Carmen at 8 p.m. today at Wellington High School, 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd., Wellington. For $30 tickets, call (561) 792-7473.