Georges Bizet’s ”Carmen” is not among my biggest favourites mostly due to the fact that is far too often performed in various opera houses. Even the people, who do not know opera at all, recognize at least the two most famous arias of this opera. But when Operarte informed that they will show an updated version ”Summer night Carmen” in one of the Helsinki suburbs, I decided that this I need to see.
This version of “Carmen” was a classic gone rogue – an operatic summer theatre performance: punk rocker Carmen wandering in the 1970’s Finnish summer night. And the idea actually worked!
Carmen has a crush on Juuso, who is in the army. Juuso runs away from his nice girlfriend Mikaela to join a group of punk rockers (incl. Carmen, of course). Unfortunately Carmen is a bit flexible in her affections and next she falls in love with rock singer Esko Millo. Joose is jealous and in this version the end of the opera is, despite being tragic as usual, also a bit surprising. (Though my opera friend, with whom I saw the performance, said to me that it probably wasn’t meant to be giggled at.)
This summer theatre opera had lots of funny (or at least partially funny) details and director Juha Pikkarainen’s work kept the audience interested. I was a bit surprised myself how well opera fits an all-female punk band. My opera friend, on the other hand, admired how a Vokswagen Kleinbus was built with only a few beer crates and the driver even had the correct hold on the steering wheel. Well, I cannot comment that myself, so I have to believe the specialist. I also chuckled at the light sabre of Esko Millo in the fight scene and the duel with darts wasn’t a bad idea either.
The production group was responsible for the costume and set design and despite the minimalistic set, Finland of 1970’s came alive on the stage (the photos projected on the wall were part of the set). Mirkka Saari’s great light design gave the final touch to the authentic look.
The opera was accompanied by a piano and Tiina Korhonen at the piano did an amazing job. The lovely prelude of the third act was beautifully played by Arttu Jauhiainen (flute) and Eetu Yrjänä (guitar).
From the point of view of singing the evening was varying. I liked the most Aapo Kilpelä as Sunila (Zuniga). Somehow both his voice and performance fit the role. Ronnie Karlsson as Esko Millo (Escamillo) was at his best in his most famous aria “The Toreador Song”, though the rest went rather well, too. Viivi Tulkki as Merja (Mercedes) sounded quite good, too. Despite the varying quality of the singers, the opera is definately worth seeing and I hope there will be enough audience even for the future performances. There are still three performance left and tickets are available at www.lippu.fi.
Ei kommentteja:
Lähetä kommentti