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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:
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"Carmen" the Opera
For ages I have been familiar with this opera, and once upon a time designed costumes for it, too. This version was somewhat different, but very good. The settings didn't always appear as though it was the cigarette factory or the café of Lilas Pastias, but the acting was good and the singing excellent. Not a recent production, it still shows how good Jose Carreras is. Unfortunately Samuel Ramey didn't seem as convincing as Escamillo as he could have. Though a smaller role, it is nevertheless very important to the story.
The music of deutsche grammophon has always been well known and looked for and overall it is hard to fault the Metropolitan and these performers. James Levine leads the ever fabulous orchestra as well. I give it at least 4 stars.
Customer Rating: -
The star 'Jose'
This MET production in 1987 is in many ways illustrious: two top opera stars in the lead roles, big staging and festive choruses plus good dancers.
Agnes Baltsa shined vocally here, but really, Carmen is a bit of a stretch for her in 1987 visually.
I have heard Samuel Ramey elsewhere, and must say that his Escamillo is somewhat mediocre in this production. His two big arias lacked charisma, especially when you have Jose Carreras as Don Jose. It would be difficult to convince the audience that this toreador is the man that Carmen would prefer over Don Jose!
Jose Carreras is in his absolute prime here - big arias sweetly sung, physically convincing, ardent in acting (he is not consistently passionate elsewhere). Most of all, he has the right characterisation for this weak-minded Don Jose. Rather than ranking him behind Domingo in this role, I would rather opt Carreras as the best Don Jose of his era.
Customer Rating: 
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Excellent Voices... BUT
If you are looking for a version with excellent voices, this is it!!!
If you are looking for a great "theatrical" production, this is it!!!
BUT I must say that I found a terrible issue in this version: Carmen (Baltsa) and Escamillo (Ramey) were not Carmen and Escamillo.
CARMEN, as far as I understand these character... she must be sensual, sexy, seductive, graceful, not rigid but loose while dancing, surrounding with its charisma, mysterious and at the same time cold, jealous and interested. Carmen must astonish like a gypsy. Baltsa was never Sensual nor graceful. Yes, she has an EXTRAORDINARY volcal interpretation... and musically is just perfect... that's Puccinis and the actual conductor work. But I never saw Carmen. You must fall in love with Carmen even though you know that that love is going to take you to the perdition. She must HYPNOTIZE us... but Baltza couldn't do it.... it's a shame. I saw a Carmen so rigid and so plain... that even though she sings excellent... I missed Carmen.
ESCAMILLO, Oh my God!!!... the male version of these Carmen. Where is that charming "Toreador"?... he never showed up. ESCAMILLO must be charming, elegant and seductive. Ramey was just somene there singing with no Toreador feeling.
DON JOSE and MICHAELLA... Oh Yes!... great performances, great voices,great actor skills, great feelings of their character. Excellent Excellent Excellent!!!
Musically, these version of Carmen is GREAT... but... "Where is Carmen and Escamillo"?...
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Carreras shines in "Carmen"
If you are relatively new to opera as I am, Baltsa's performance of Carmen may have to grow on you - as it did on me - but you'll have no trouble admiring and appreciating Carreras' Don Jose character right away. (The role is one of his specialties.) Back to Baltsa: You'll have to get over her physical apperance -Carmen is supposed to be 17!- as a temptress
and then you will enjoy her portrayal. Magnificent voice!
Samuel Ramey is dripping with confidence as Escamillo, the bullfighter, and his voice is really nice.
Leona Mitchell's voice is less than perfect in this live performance, but it is a voice I would be greatful to own.
She is a sweet Micaela, (The girl who loves Don Jose) and is rather convincing in her big aria in act 3.
There is a wonderful supporting cast, although some of the older women in the Met chorus will gross you out in their 'cigarette-girl' costumes in Act 1!
And now what the Carreras fans are waiting for: How was Carreras in this performance? It would take an entire book of positive adjectives to describe his stellar, passionate performance. Here you will find a great artist -in real life on the brink of being diagnosed with leukemia- singing his heart and soul out with fire, urgency, and love. He puts everything into this role and the audience -you & I- are richly rewarded!
Conclusion: Don't miss this one!!!