Carmen: Background and Characters

Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen, based on the novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée, is one the most performed on the operatic stage today. Its initial cold reception by the audience at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on March 3, 1875 could have easily determined it as a failure. However, a few months later, Carmen was given the reception it deserved after it opened in Vienna and has been a hit ever since.

Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy

Carmen is a co-production with Opéra de Montréal and San Diego Opera. The performances this season will take place on Last performed by the COC in 2005. January 27, 30, February 2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 27, 2010 at the Sung in French with English SURTITLES™ Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto.

Book your school group tickets now! Call COC Group Sales at 416-306-2356 or e-mail [email protected]. MAIN CHARACTERS In order of vocal appearance

Name Description Voice Type Pronunciation Moralès an officer baritone moh-RAH-les Micaëla a village girl in love with Don José soprano mee-kah-EH-lah Don José a corporal of the guard tenor dohn zho-SEH Zuniga a lieutenant of the guard bass dzoo-NEE-gah Carmen a gypsy mezzo-soprano car-MEN Frasquita Carmen’s friend soprano fras-KEE-tah Mercédès Carmen’s friend mezzo-soprano mer-SEH-des Escamillo a toreador baritone es-ca-MEE-yoh Lillas Pastia an innkeeper actor LEE-las PAHS-tyah Le Dancaïre a smuggler baritone luh dahn-kah-EE-reh Le Remendado a smuggler tenor luh re-men-DAH-doh

Canadian Opera Company ~ Education and Outreach ~ Carmen Study Guide 2009/2010 ~ coc.ca ~ 416-306-2392