Dramatic and romantic music accompanies a tale of jealousy and love in Carmen, said general director of the Asheville Lyric Opera David Craig Starkey.
Starkey, accompanied by his cast, including Cheryse McLeod as the mezzo soprano Carmen and Jonathan Hodel as her tenor love-interest Don Jose, will be performing the French opera in Seeger Chapel at Milligan College at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 in conjunction with ETSU Opera Theatre.
Bizet’s Carmen tells the story of the gypsy Carmen, who woos away Corp. Don Jose from the woman he is supposed to marry and casts him under her spell.
Driven crazy by love, Don Jose endures many things for Carmen, including being arrested and deserting his army.
Despite his sacrifices, Carmen does not want to commit to the infatuated Don Jose and chooses another man, the bullfighter Escamillo, played by baritone David Malis. Don Jose is heartbroken and ends up murdering Carmen in a jealous rage.
This performance marks the first professional full production with full orchestra in the Tri-Cities of Carmen, one of the top 10 most-produced operas in North America.
“This is one of the most recognizable and popular operas ever written,” Starkey said. “This is a common tale of man that is as old as time, only accompanied by powerful music.”
Starkey encourages attendance for the unique performance.
“Everyone should come out and support our cast,” he said. “This is a rare opportunity to see a strong and wonderful production with such talented rising artists.”
The English translation for Carmen will be available in subtitles.
Tickets for Carmen are $8 for students with a valid ID and senior citizens and $18 for the general public.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the ETSU Department of Music at 439-4270 or 439-4276.
For additional information on the program, call Dr. Oliver Lo, director of the ETSU Opera Theatre, at 439-5787 or e-mail lo@etsu.edu.

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