One of the highlights of the Pan American Games cultural festival looks certain to be the production of “Carmen” on Thursday, October 20, 8 p.m. at the Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso (Guadalajara’s main bullring).
A story of passion, jealousy, obsession and death, Carmen is the timeless tale of a feisty gypsy involved in a fated love triangle, set to the music of Georges Bizet.
The bullring is an appropriate setting for this opera, since one of the main characters, Escamillo, is a matador. Seating will be provided for 8,000 spectators and the production involves 190 performers taking the stage over its two-hour duration.
The performance will feature dancers Olivia Quintana as Carmen and Adrian Marrero as Don Jose, both principals of the Ballet de Monterrey. Anton Joroshmanov will take the role of Escamillo.
Also featured will be the the State Dance Company (Compañia de Danza Clasica y Neoclasica de Jalisco) of which Joroshmanov is a co-founder. The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra will interpret Bizet’s score under the direction of U.S. conductor Leslie Dunner. The soloists are mezzosoprano Grace Echauri (Carmen), tenor Jose Manuel Chu (Don Jose) and baritone Carlos Lopez (Escamillo).
Also appearing will be the Jalisco State Choir, the Cabañas Children’s Choir, members of the Hilda Pratts and Pascual Martínez flamenco troupes and eight students from the Escuela Municipal Taurina (bullfighting school), who will display their cape skills – there will be no bulls or killing!
Some of the proceeds from the production are earmarked for the creation of a non-profit association to promote opera in the state of Jalisco.
Tickets for Carmen cost from 100 to 300 pesos and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. The Plaza de Toros Nuevo Progreso is located at Calle Montes Pirineos, one block off Calzada Independencia Norte, across from the Estadio Jalisco in Colonia Monumental.