OPERA REVIEW: Carmen at the English National Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera

OPERA-goers in London and the South-East have a choice between two productions of Carmen at the moment and they both have a good deal going for them, especially in the casting of the title role.

Two Carmen'sPH

(left) Justina Gringyte and Stéphanie d'Oustrac

Carmen English National Opera - Four stars

When I first saw Calixto Bieito's production of Carmen at the ENO two years ago, I thought it was an outrageous example of directorial self-indulgence. 

The Spanish director, renowned for his highly original re-workings of classical operas, had turned Bizet's masterpiece into a squalid and vulgar tale set in an unidentified place and time that may have been the Spanish civil war. 

This time, however, I really enjoyed it, so what was the difference, apart from the fact that I knew what to expect?

What made it work was the energy and commitment of the cast, led by the Lithuanian soprano Justina Gringyte in the title role. 

She is a wonderfully raunchy, slutty Carmen who, as well as having a gorgeous voice, conveys the unquenchable gypsy nature of the part magnificently.

There are still touches of Bieito's vulgarity, but while they seemed to dominate the production last time, they now appear almost incidental to the vigorous singing and acting of the entire cast led by Gringyte. 

It shows that if you are going to be vulgar, it has to be done full-heartedly.

Carmen Glyndebourne Festival Opera - Five stars

By contrast, the Glyndebourne Carmen is traditional but equally striking thanks to as near perfect casting as one could hope for. 

This is a welcome return of David McVicar's 2002 production, with beautifully detailed sets by Michael Vale which help bring out the best of both the music and action.

Always very impressive, this Carmen has become outstanding this time through a cast that both sing and act divinely. 

As Carmen, the French mezzosoprano Stéphanie d'Oustrac is wonderfully seductive. 

The lower range of her voice is gloriously sultry. 

In contrast to Gringyte's Carmen at ENO, d'Oustrac's version is imperious and self-assured, without any tarty overtones. 

The Glyndebourne Carmen also has magnificent support from Pavel Cernoch as Don Jose and David Soar as the bullfighter Escamillo. 

This is as good a production of this ever-popular opera as I have ever seen and poses opera lovers an enticing choice: if you want your Carmen slutty, go to ENO; if you want her seductive, go to Glyndebourne.

You will not be disappointed in either case.

Box Office: 

ENO: 020 7845 9300 or www.eno.org (showing until July 3)

Glyndebourne: 01273 815000 or www.glyndebourne.org (until July 11)

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