UGA Opera Theatre present Bizet's Carmen

The title itself almost conjures the Habanera melody all on its own. Such a great pleasure - the Hodgson School presents Georges Bizet's Carmen on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.:

The performance, part of both the UGA Spotlight on the Arts Festival and the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s 2nd Thursday Scholarship Concert Series, also features the UGA Symphony Orchestra, University Chorus, and Georgia Children’s Chorus, conducted by professor Mark Cedel.

“I would consider Carmen to be one of the top five most well-known operas,” said Opera Theatre director Frederick Burchinal, Wyatt & Margaret Anderson Professor in the Arts at UGA. “It seemed to be a good fit for Spotlight on the Arts at UGA, which seeks to bring the arts to a broader audience. Practically everyone knows several melodies from Carmen, whether they realize it or not.”

In addition to the contributions of Burchinal and Cedel, the opera also features choreography from dance department head Lisa Fusillo, scenic art from former Metropolitan Opera veteran Jill Biskin, and costumes, set pieces, and supertitles, from Georgia State University opera department director Carroll Freeman. Opera coach Kathryn Wright, director of choral activities Daniel Bara, and Georgia Children’s Chorus director Carol Reeves assisted in preparation for the production.

“Every opera is an enormous production requiring cooperation and a shared vision, and Carmen is no exception,” said Burchinal.

Fantastic, plus with a $5 dress rehearsal the evening before. Don't miss this great event.

Image: Poster for a circa 1896 American production of Georges Bizet's Carmen, starring Rosabel Morrison, via Wikimedia Commons.