Carmen

When the curtain opens the male members of the chorus can't take their eyes off a half dressed young woman bathing seductively in front of them. It was the start of a hot night of Opera.

Another correspondent for Stage Whispers recently bemoaned the practice in Grand Opera of casting singers who sound great but don't look the part.

The antidote is this production of Carmen, which combines sensual singing and a sultry performance to sublime effect.

Carmen is played by the Israeli born Rinat Shaham. She has performed the role in great Opera Houses across Europe and North America.

It is not hard to see why.

She sings the role beautifully and moves across the stage in a style that combines fiery temperament with seduction.

Another breathtaking moment where voice and drama is combined to great effect is the entrance of Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Escamillo the Toreador.

He glides across a long table like a panther stalking its prey.

Richard Troxell as the stand-in Don Jose for an ill disposed Julian Gavin sang beautifully but could never match his charisma.

The production, bathed in bright oranges and yellows, was attractive to look at.

Combined with the conductor Guillaume Touriaire, who energetically bounced up and down like a basketball, and led a sharp orchestra, it was a first class night at the Opera.

David Spicer.

Photographer: Branco Gaica