Opera Colorado Tickets

orchestra and female singers were great. lack of sets disappointing and male singers just average,

After a wonderful staging of Rigoletto, I was hoping for something similar in Carmen. Instead, center stage was the opera orchestra. They were fantastic. The vocals were fantastic. The music is some of the best written for opera. The actors were competent, but hired for their voices. And the staging........ A race track around the orchestra where the action paraded. No sets or props beyond a table and a few chairs. Costumes were Spanish Civil War era which seemed to work with the story. If you closed your eyes, and listened, it was perfect. Expecting a show as well, I was disappointed.

Opera Colorado has put together a unique and exciting Carmen. The production brings the music and drama to the fore by eschewing elaborate sets and crowd scenes. The chorus becomes part of the orchestra as our attention shifts to the intensely personal interactions of the principal actors. This production was a revelation for me. I now see how it detracts from the realism of the drama to have a bunch of people milling around on the stage while the main characters are involved in such intimate, often violent behavior. There will always be "traditional" productions of Carmen to please those who go for the spectacle. I go for the music and the drama and this production delivered beyond my expectations. The performances were outstanding--I believed every minute. It was easy to see how all the men were attracted to this beautiful, elegant Carmen, and it was easy to see how Carmen would dump the abusive Jose for the handsome, dashing Escamillo. Opera audiences can be a stodgy bunch wedded to tradition, so I have to applaud Opera Colorado for having the courage and artistic integrity to present us with a new vision for Carmen, one that simply burns with intensity and truth.

This was my first viewing of Carmen. The Caulkins room is not the best for sound. The orchestra was very good as was the chorus but both were muted. I enjoyed the music and performers very much, who cannot. However, as has been brought to your attention, Carmen is known for its vibrant staging and dancing, of which, there was neither. Rather than an opera performance, it was simply a concert. Rigaletto, on the other hand, was done in with true operatic staging.

This show was ridiculous. There was not one scintilla of opera in this opera. No color, no spectacle, no fun. It was a recital. And a boring one at that.

I really enjoyed the 'new' staging - orchestra front and center on the stage; no distracting, overwhelming sets; the 'simplicity' of the performers entrance and presence. I would, however, appreciate an even earlier start mid-week. Regretfully, I left early due to work the next morning.

We felt cheated by this production...orchestra on the stage, chorus in black and white on risers behind the orchestra, no sets other than a few chairs on the stage, dull, uninspired costumes. This was nothing more than a concert, yet Opera Colorado still charged a fortune for the seats--$150 each for our mezzanine seats. If they can't afford to do a full production, they just shouldn't do it at all. They fooled us once, but never again. This will be the last Opera Colorado "production" we will attend.

I wondered if I had walked into the correct venue because the orchestra on stage was such an unusual setting. I was accepting of the novelty of it, and by the middle of Act I, the singing by itself was completely absorbing. Novel staging is sometimes necessary to reach an ever-changing (and fickle) concertgoer, and I find it's always exciting. What a surprise to read that's exactly what happened with the premiere of this opera, so radical for its time, according to the excellent historical synopsis by Betsy Schwarm. Each character showed off his or her character to the utmost: a gentle Micaela, a troubled Don Jose, the swaggering Escamillo, the tempestuous Carmen, and each of the Young Artists. Given the vocal strengths of the cast, and the effectiveness of the lighting design, the absence of elaborate sets was not an element I missed. I wish however that the lyrics would be shown at all times, whenever there is singing!

I hope that the staging of Carmen was not a sign of the times. It allowed no opportunity for true immersion. No scenery, costuming was drab (no red dress?), and worse, the stage was filled with musicians, singers,etc. all mixed in with the characters. Lack of financing is the only logical reason for this. It was not a creative presentation. It was one huge distraction, much like the similar staging of "Chicago" at the Buell.

Disappointed with the concert setting. Musical performances were good, but it lacked the "spectacle" I associate with opera.

I bought opening night tix for one of my husband's Christmas gifts. Carmen is my favorite opera and I wanted to share it with him. The singing was wonderful but the production was just horrible and disappointing. My husband called it the most expensive nap he's ever had. My nephew s working on his PhD in Theater and said "we'll surely they advertised it as a concert performance, right?" No. Won't make the mistake again of purchasing Opera Colorado tickets. What a shame

If I had known that the performance would be, basically, the music of Carmen, I would have stayed home and listened to a recording. It was so bad that my granddaughter (9 years old) slept through the 3rd act! Singing was great, but no scenery, no costumes, a chorus that had to read the music! Good grief. And why such a large orchestra?

Great voices, orchestra phenomenal. ..would have preferred more staging.

I like a very traditional opera, and the setting (lack there of) hurt the opera. Some settings even if it was set in 1937 would have been nice. The chorus and the interaction of the singers on the stage always gives the performance an added excitement. I had taken my husband specifically to Carmen so he could be introduced to opera and now I'm not sure he will join me for my favorite opera - Madame Butterfly. Thank god the singer for Carmen was great (Sandra Eddy). I also like the talk before the opera.

Wish the reviews or description of this event stated that there is no set, no costumes, and no choreography. The orchestra was on stage and a chorale group in black pants and white shirts sat and stood in the background. The "actors" used chairs and randomly walked across the stage. The castanet dance was lame, and bull fight?? It was more like Rickie Ricardo sings babaloo. The actors were mostly new to the stage, their voices were good, and the music was good, but this was not an opera!! Don't waste your money.

We were a bit disappointed with the production. It was a lot of money for needing to use our imagination for the venue of each act. The orchestra, chorus, and key operatic singers were really good, but we missed the vibrant staging sets!

This was the first time for us to attend an Opera Colorado performance with another couple, having gone to the Santa Fe and Central City Operas together with them in past years. Although we'd rate the singers, the music, and the orchestra as amazing--and very much worth recommending--we did not like the way this performance was staged at all. The absolute lack of stage decor made us think that Opera Colorado is going bankrupt and couldn't afford any staging. Even the costumes seemed to be intentionally unimaginative and totally unrelated to the era (1937? 1875? or 2014?). It was also distracting to have the orchestra center stage and the chorus behind it, with the singers and all the action of the opera in a small area of the stage and very apparently ancillary to the music. This was such a sorry and unimaginative way to present one of the most colorful and wonderful operas. If the intent was to focus on the music by minimizing the staging, it didn't work. We focused instead on what was lacking rather than on the terrific talent on stage... As a result, we're eager to see how the Santa Fe version of Carmen is done, and not sure that we'll be back to Opera Colorado.

Funny you ask for my thoughts on the opening night of Carmen. The review in the Post this morning went on and on about the minimal staging. The reviewer commented that you might have liked the show if you consider the music but the lack of extravagant costumes weakened the performance. Shame on Ray Rinaldi for such a narrow review. The strong vocals and acting of the main characters provided a very nice evening.

Venue is beautiful, singing was excellent and of course the music outstanding. The lack of sets and movement usually associated with Carmen was a big disappointment. This opera in particular benefits from the chorus and singers moving around in the different settings and appropriate costuming. Didn't care for the Spanish Civil war setting. If you are going to provide a stripped down opera, you should advertise that fact.

Cast & Voices were great. Orchestra was good. But staging was minimal & unorthodox. Orchestra & Chorus were center stage, facing the audience. Singers performed around them. No "set" at all. Felt kind of like a workshop or dress rehearsal. The orchestra takes so much of the stage & the chorus is seated on platforms high on the stage is awkward & distracting. The music & singing were very good, but I could buy a recording of Carmen & listen to it at home. We spend hundreds of dollars for tickets, dinner, parking, and expect a "night at the Opera" that includes sumptuous sets & staging.