Ginger Costa Jackson as Carmen and Rafael Davill as Don José and the cast of Florida Grand Opera's "Carmen." (Photo by Lewis Valdez/courtesy of Florida Grand Opera)
If Florida Grand Opera’s latest production of “Carmen” is any indication of the direction the fourth oldest opera company in the United States is going, then the professional opera company in South Florida is on solid footing.
Maria Todaro, the general director of Florida Grand Opera, conceived its latest “Carmen.” Entertaining and approachable, it’s a perfect introduction for newbies to operas but should satisfy operaphiles who have probably seen one of the most performed operas on the stage more than a few times. (Count this critic among them.)
Ginger Costa Jackson as Carmen and Alexander Birch Elliott as Escamillo in Florida Grand Opera's "Carmen." (Photo by Lewis Valdez/courtesy of Florida Grand Opera)
Todaro has reimagined the production, taking it out of George Bizet’s early 19th-century Spain and placing it in the midst of the Spanish Civil War in 1937. The setting adds an unsettling atmosphere, turning Carmen and her cohorts into freedom fighters.
Ginger Costa-Jackson, who is singing in her 24th production, as Carmen is fiery and flirty. She is Carmen and commands the stage. There isn't an instance that she doesn't give a reason for all eyes (and ears) to be on her, both from the players on the stage to those in the audience.
"Real Housewives of Miami" star Julia Lemigova gets physical as Manuelita, a cigarette factory work who is Carmen's rival in Maria Todaro's "Carmen" at Florida Grand Opera. (Photo by Lewis Valdez/courtesy of Florida Grand Opera)
When the mezzo-soprano launches into “Habanera” in Act 1, she deliciously takes her time savoring each lyric and note as she sings about love as a rebellious bird that cannot be tamed . . "Love is a gypsy’s child … “ and she warns. . “If I love you, you’d best beware!. It is a foreshadowing of what’s to come. Her Carmen is bold and brazen. And while Costa-Jackson has played the role two dozen times, it appears she can find a way to add even a different gusto. Her performance, while polished, doesn't seem pre-fabricated.
Adding star power is Julia Lemigova, known for her appearances on the reality television series “The Real Housewives of Miami.” This character has always been minuscule, sometimes talked about but never seen, but now Todaro has afforded her more stage time. In a non-singing role, Lemigova is Manuelita, a cigarette factory worker who is Carmen’s rival. A scene that leaves her face bloodied is a funny tip to the catfights still remaining centuries later in reality television such as “The Real Housewives” franchise.
In love with Don José (Rafael Davilla) is Micaëla (Marina Costa-Jackson, shown, shares the role with her sister Miriam.)(Photo by Lewis Valdez/courtesy of Florida Grand Opera)
An opera in four acts, the story of Carmen is taken from Prosper Mérimée’s novella and turned into a libretto written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. It made its premiere in 1875 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris and was not immediately successful.
Carmen, a Donna Juan, snares Don José (the glorious tenor Rafael Davilla; he shares the role with Adam Diegel). A soldier, he is sent to prison for defending Carmen in the cigarette factory fight. When he comes back to her, she tells him that he should abandon his service and join her band of freedom fighters who are, in this production, fighting against Francisco Franco.
Carmen (Ginger Costa-Jackson) taunts Don José (the glorious tenor Rafael Davilla. (Photo by Lewis Valdez/courtesy of Florida Grand Opera)
But there’s a love triangle, like every drama, as Escamillo (the absolutely dashing baritone Alexander Birch Elliott), the star bullfighter is courting Carmen, and he is a much more valuable catch than the poor soldier. Does she choose for love or money?
Maria Todaro, left, who conceived and directed Florida Grand Opera's production of "Carmen," with music director of Florida Grand Opera Ramón Tebar. (Photo courtesy of Florida Grand Opera)
No doubt purists will find fault with the production but this isn’t your grandmother’s “Carmen” nor is it meant to be.
In love with Don José’s is Micaëla (Costa-Jackson’s singing sisters take turns in the role, Marina performing April 12, 15 and 26 and Miriam on April 13 and 24) who brings news from the man’s mother, using that to try to get him to leave to go back to the countryside with him. Opening night saw Marina performing the glorious aria as she finds Jose hiding among the mountains with the smugglers and Carmen. Marina’s soprano touched the notes with precision, presenting the innocence of the country girl but evoking a woman’s heartbreak.
“Carmen” is iconic in the opera world and even someone who has never seen the opera will certainly recognize the tune of “Habenera” with its familiar pizzicato strings and orchestra used as a soundtrack for television and movie comedic moments — such as the Swedish Chef and Beaker singing together on “The Muppets,” in a Doritos commercial during the 2008 Super Bowl, and to dramatize Mr. Carl Fredricksen’s long descending the stairs to start his day in Disney Pixar’s film “Up” or the rousing Toreador song.
While there is the drama of the personalities on stage, Todaro also shows us a political landscape where people are rising up against a dictator who has overthrown a democratic republic.
To add even more drama, in the traditional finale Carmen is stabbed to death by her scorned lover Don Jose. Here a fountain at stage left does the trick as he drowns her in a jealous rage. It's jaw dropping.
During one scene change, a lovely extra of flamenco dance entertained in front of the red curtain. While it wasn't in the original, it fit the setting of Seville and certainly was a delight for Miami audiences.
Don José was sung by tenor Rafael Davilla in Florida Grand Opera's "Carmen." He shared the role with Adam Deigel. (Photo by Lewis Valdez/courtesy of Florida Grand Opera)
While we’d all love to see opera thrive by treading the old boards, Todaro has the right idea to make opera less intimidating and more appealing to an audience that might shy away from what’s, let's face it, regarded as intimidating.
The changing arts landscape – less funding, less audiences requires a little disruption. Who better to cause the disruption but rebel “Carmen?”
IF YOU GO
- WHAT: Florida Grand Opera’s “Carmen” (Sung in French with English and Spanish projected translations)
- WHEN: In Fort Lauderdale, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 24 and Saturday, April 26.
- WHERE: Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW 5th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
- COST: Broward: $25 – $215
- INFORMATION: 800-741-1010 or fgo.org
