Why Don Jose loves Carmen is apparent, as Donose is the most fetching, vivacious Carmen one could wish for. Though a serial lover who craves liberty above all things, she loves Don Jose, and Donose made her warmth and affection clear, even as she faced his jealous rage and accepted her fate at the end. As Don Jose - tenor William Burden in a stunning role debut - cradled the dying Carmen in his arms at the end, it was easy to ache for the small town boy who truly loved her.įor her part, Romanian born Ruxandra Donose portrayed Carmen as more than a heartless predator. Happily, this “Carmen” - 168th performance of the popular work since Cincinnati Opera’s founding in 1920 - lives up to all this effort.įor one thing, it comes across fully and satisfyingly as a tragedy, even a love story, not just a they-got-what-they-deserved tale of lust and its fruits. The top winner, soprano Margaret Russo of Columbia-Tusculum, prefaced the Overture to “Carmen” with a melting rendition of 'Musetta's Waltz' from “La Boheme.” The winner was selected by a final online vote, that drew over 10,000 responses and considerable attention to Cincinnati Opera.

Modeled on “American Idol,” 'Opera Idol' sought 'Cincinnati's new opera star' through a community-wide auditions process, beginning in June. It was also the way the Opera sold it, with a blitz of media-savvy initiatives, including: 'Carmenbook,' a Facebook spoof where Carmen becomes a fan of Don Jose and, uh oh, the Toreador 'Lego Carmen,' a YouTube video with Legos as the characters and most potent of all, announcement of the winner of Cincinnati Opera's new “Opera Idol” competition just before the opening night curtain.

(Austerity measures announced earlier this season in response to the economic downturn included layoffs, salary reductions and, perhaps ironically, cutting a fourth performance of 'Carmen.')īut it wasn’t just Bizet’s blockbuster that turned the trick, since 'Carmen' tends to sell itself just by appearing on the season schedule. Photo for Cincinnati Opera by Philip GroshongĬincinnati Opera knows how to turn SOS into SO.īizet's “Carmen” which opened Wednesday night (July 22) at Music Hall was officially sold out and with two performances to come, is likely to add considerably to the Opera's bottom line. William Burden as Don Jose and Ruxandra Donose as Carmen.

Carmen opera cincinnati