Latvian National Opera

On October 11 Bob and I attended the Latvian National Opera's new production of Carmen with world renowned Latvian born mezzo soprano Elina Garanca....amazing. I had never been to an opera but am familiar with the music and story line of Carmen, well what a gala production. The production is new this season and the premiere was earlier in October. The Theater was not as large as symphony hall in Boston and we had wonderful seats in the loge area second row. The seats were velveteen covered with wooden carved backs and armless chairs in the loge area. The theater is ornate and gilded absolutely wonderful. From the loge we could look down on the stage, the orchestra pit and the main floor seating area. It had had it's own cafe refreshment area with tables and chairs as wellas a separate coat check area. The production was wonderful. It was presented as taking place in Cuba. The program notes said the Habanera is actually a Cuban/African rhythmic dance that was all the rage in Europe at the time Bizet composed the opera. Bizet refused to visit Spain but the librettist did. When it was first written the musciains of the symphony said the score was impossible and the actors were shocked they were expected to dance as well as sing. To say the least the opera was not well received in Bizet's time. But in Riga it was wonderful. The curtain was a Cuban flag, Act I was a busy street scene in Cuba outside the cigar factory. There were school boys with their red neck kerchiefs as well as a full chorus of street vendors and soldiers. Act II a tavern with neon lights and a picture of Che behind the bar. Escamilio was a boxer, so the toreador was translated "fighter" and all the words and the fans and the adoration fit. The third act was the waterfront in Havana with the painted sunset of Havana with it’s sky line of tall buildings and the wall, the Malecon, mid stage. The Gypsies were bandits/smugglers assembling a make shift float/raft to put into the water to pick up their take. Act 4 was outside a sports arena....Escamilio's boxing trunks were the Cuban flag design. The music was wonderful, the singling amazing, the costumes and staging fantastic. It was great. I spoke with another woman who had seen the opera earlier this month and she thought because of the different staging and taking the opera all the beauty was gone, there were no Gypsies, or toreador or Spanish costumes. We were prepared for the differences. I really enjoyed the "new" interpretation and as everyone has said Elina Garanca is an actress, a dancer and a marvelous singer. We are so fortunate to be able to attend this production of Carmen featuring her since she only gave three performances.