Interview: Hub Opera Ensemble and MSO To Present CARMEN

Tragic love affairs are nothing new for opera story lines. However, in time for Valentine's Day, Hub Opera Ensemble will present one of opera's most famous love stories, Carmen, in a uniquely imaginative way at a new location.

Directed by Joseph Marschner and musically directed by Elizabeth Schulze, Bizet's famous opera, Carmen, tells the story of a romance between the title character, a seductive gypsy, and Don Jose, an officer of the law ordered to arrest Carmen. They begin a passionate affair as Escamillo, a toreador, rivals Don Jose for Carmen's affections and Don Jose's fiance, Micaela, learns the truth, leading to tragic consequences.

For this production, instead of an independent production, Hub Opera Ensemble joins the Maryland Symphony Orchestra in a collaborative performance, occurring at the Maryland Theater in downtown Hagerstown, a new venue for the Hub Opera. The cast was eager to join forces with the MSO to bring the music to life.

"The material itself is extremely enjoyable. Carmen is one of the great operatic masterpieces. The music is sublime, and it's an excellent drama. It's thrilling that we are able to share the stage with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Elizabeth Schulze is the sort of conductor one dreams of working with-her musical decisions are motivated by the drama, and simply the act of her conducting supports and draws out the very best in singers. She helps us with our vision of the piece, and helps us complete it by unifying all the threads of the different artists into a cohesive whole" said Nicholas Simpson, who plays Don Jose.

"I love collaborating with talented colleagues to make this story come alive for the audience" said Colleen Daly, who plays Micaela

In a departure from the usual fully-staged productions, Carmen will be a semi-staged, intimate concert version. The cast had a shortened rehearsal period and quickly needed to explore the nuances of their characters.

"This staging period is so short! We have so much to do in such a short period of time!" said Daly

"While this is only semi-staged, this forces us to make sense of the drama and resolve musical issues in a very short amount of time. It's a lot of work, but what a wonderful rush! In the staging rehearsals, we've worked to make these characters come alive. My character, Don José has a checkered past. He is a fish out of water in Seville, and, while he is trying to live a more conservative way and get his life back on track, he falls for the gypsy Carmen, against his better judgment. Ultimately, Don José embodies a dichotomy: he is too volatile for a quiet life of fulfilling his duty and marrying his childhood sweetheart, Micaela, but he is too conservative for a wild life of outlaw smuggling with Carmen. José recognizes from the outset that Carmen is not good for him, but he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against her influence. He struggles, being caught between a passionate love affair with her, and his volatile, jealous nature" said Simpson

This Valentine's Day weekend, the cast of Hub Opera Ensemble's Carmen is ready to bring the infamous love story to life in a brand new way.

"It's one of the most passionate stories in all of opera, with sweeping music and fantastic singing!" said Daly.

"It's a story full of passion, beautiful music, and visceral impact. There are many famous melodies in Carmen that are woven into the public consciousness through other works of art, from commercials to movies. It's a must-see work of art, and this is a very accessible and entertaining way to experience it. We've replaced some of the sung numbers with narration, and there will be about an hour and a half of music. It will be enjoyable for the experienced opera goer and for the person who has never before been to an opera" said Simpson.

Carmen also features Francesca Aguado in the title role, Justin Wilson as Le Dancaire, Tad Czyzewski as Le Remendado, Elizabeth Mondrago as Mercedes, Luke Scott as Escamillo, and Stacy Stofferahn as Frasquita, with Robert Aubrey Davis as the narrator and the choir members from Mount St. Mary's University Chorale and the Northern Middle School Chorus.

Carmen runs February 13 at 8:00 PM and 14 at 3:00 PM. Performances occur at the Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD. Ticket prices for adults range from $10.00 to $65.00, depending on seating, $5.00 student rush tickets are available to college students with their college ID and tickets for children in grades 1 - 12 are free. For more info or to purchase tickets online, please visit http://www.huboperaensemble.org/

Photo Credit: Hub Opera Ensemble