Carmen

Performed on a large stage at Sydney Harbour, Gale Edwards' Opera Australia production of Georges Bizet's popular warhorse about the manipulative seductress whose romantic tricks drive soldier Don José to violence is heavier on spectacle than musicality. The performance is punctuated by big moments (cranes lowering military vehicles onto the set, a parade of supernumeraries waving gigantic flags while fireworks explode in the night sky, the illuminated outline of a bull appearing in the background, etc.) that tend to overwhelm the more intimate story elements. Still, Rinat Shaham is superb in the title role, her allure evident both physically and in her rich mezzo voice, while Nicole Car also exhibits strong vocalism as the sweet young peasant girl, Micaëla. The men are less impressive, with Dmytro Popov (Don José) and Andrew Jones (the toreador Escamillo) showing signs of strain, although both have imposing stage presence (all suffer, however, from the ungainly head microphones that look like orthodontic devices). Brian Castles-Onion conducts a sprightly reading of the score (although the sound of the unseen orchestra comes across as a bit tinny), but some of the music is missing (such as the jaunty urchin march in the first scene) and the dialogue is severely cut (the large audience, which applauds lustily throughout, doesn't seem to be bothered). A more conventional Carmen—such as the 2002 Glyndebourne mounting starring Anne Sofie von Otter (VL-7/03)—would be a better choice. Presented in DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a cast gallery. Optional. (F. Swietek)