Our second day in Zurich was spent sightseeing, shopping, eating more delicious food, and watching a very interesting Carmen at the Zurich Opera House.
at breakfast in zurich
First thing that morning, we hit the flee market. After that, we had coffee at the oldest cafe in town and visited tons of other shops before the opera that evening. I also got to meet Annemaries friend, Lilo. They were roommates back in the 60's in San Francisco and have been friends for almost 50 years now!
a cake at the Cafe
As I have said many times, I just love Zurich. It's such a beautiful, charming place. The weather was amazing! It felt like october in Charlotte. I definitely preferred it to the sweltering heat and humidity we get in North Carolina during the summer.
what i would do to live in one of those apartments!
After spending yet another lovely day in this great city, we headed back to the hotel to get ready and head off to the show...
First of all, it was gorgeous inside the theater. Zurich is considered to be one of the premier opera houses in Europe. It was so exciting to just be there, all dressed up, to see one of the most popular and famous operas of all time!
Now, let's get down to it. Just so you know, my title is simply a "jeu de mots," for I am fully aware that Carmen is not intended to be a comedy . However, I couldn't help but laugh at some points during this wild, abstract, and mediocre production.
with peter before we knew what we were in for
the chandelier in the opera house
It all started when we saw the pictures in the program of the set and costumes. I am never a huge fan of modernized opera productions, and this was one of them. However, I can always appreciate them if they are executed well. The stage was bare, and none of us could tell what time period the costumes were eluding to. I don't know if I considered the artistic vision to be one that could be easily understood (which is certainly a nice way of putting it.) But, I got over it. After all the big picture, when opera is concerned, all relies on the singing!
The show began with a wonderfully played overture. The orchestra was phenomenal! They really held the show together, in my opinion. The chorus sounded great. Morales sounded great. Don Jose sounded... well... old. Schicoff is in his late 60's, after al! The cigarette girls sounded beautiful... and everything seemed to be going pretty well! I nearly burst when Carmen made her grand entrance, as I always do. I think Kasarova is so powerful and beautiful, when she wants to be. Then she began to sing... and the laughter commenced.
I have never heard so many "mezzo scoops" in my life! She practically lived down in the basement the entire time. At one point, my mom asked if she was a man. Thats not something that should be questioned of a carmen, who is supposed to be a seductive and stunningly attractive woman. Because the stage was tilted, she also had to do strange, manly things with her body to be able to stand. All of these things made her look and sound way older than she is or should have seemed in the role.
By the time her death came around, the audience was practically cheering. It was pretty disappointing to hear someone who I know to be such a wonderful artist sound so rough (in a role I adore.) Maybe it is time for her to retire... Carmen, at least.
After the show, my grandmother insisted we get drinks. We deserved them!
celebrating Carmens death with a tutti frutti daiquiri
Though I didn't care much for the show, it was wonderful to see Carmen at one of the premier Opera Houses of Europe. It was inspiring on it's own!
Ciao,
Diana
