Carmen transformed
Sara Baras
Gypsy girl Carmen has lived for many decades in the collective memory of Spanish culture. While the opera in which she stars was written by French author Prosper Mérimée, the story takes place in Seville and has helped to shape the independent, passionate Spanish woman of today. Carmen has been reproduced in numerous adaptations in numerous eras, but the project has perhaps never been approached with as much heart as now.
Internationally famed flamenco dancer Sara Baras took on the challenge of directing and playing the lead role of Carmen with the aim of creating a completely unique version of the show. Having wanted to play the role since she was a young girl, Baras put her love for the character into her work, and has come up with a contemporary Carmen, one that is based around freedom and two different ways of loving.
This version of Carmen focuses on dance, the tragedy of love being symbolised by flamenco mixed with contemporary Spanish choreography. The music is also a fusion, of flamenco and classical music. In producing such an eclectic yet ultimately reverential manifestation of the opera, Baras is letting the courageous, independent Carmen inside of her take the lead.
Carmen
Teatre Coliseum
September 23rd to November 1st
Tickets cost from €24 to €54
www.telentrada.com