Carmen in Manila

went to watch the Manila production of Carmen because i like this very much..




tapos, like na like ko ang song na ito by Maria Callas that  was used in UP (yes the Pixar cartoon prod)




the lead of Carmen was played by Camille Lopez Molina with Don Jose  played by Abdul Candao
music was by the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

staged at the St. Scholastica's St. Cecila's Hall, the acoustic was perfect but the space limiting. Naging two dimensional ang dating. i guess set design was the main problem for me. plus, masyado na late nag umpisa at 8PM, considering that this was a four act opera, the ADHD child in me cannot stay beyond act 2. at mukang maraming nag join sa akin when i left after act 2.

Camille was hesitant at first but she got her groove when she sang Habanera. The killer for me was the chorus. Kulang ata ang practice days. It was not "lively" for me. Toreador was not exciting. Maybe, kulang sa colors ang costumes. and Don Jose's costume doesn't seem to fit. masikip.

In French ang opera and it was a welcome relief that there was an english translation provided sa isang giant screen. Clap clap dito.