Being an opera buff I always thought it would be a great idea to bring opera to the masses via the movie screen. Well my dream has come true. Carmen in 3D is now out in selected theaters and hopefully in your area. My sons and I will be going this Saturday for the performance. Carmen is one of my all time favorite operas and this will be the first time my sons will be seeing it. I am so excited as I haven't been to an opera performance in a couple of years. Now, there have been operas on video and Carmen has been out as a movie but this is the first time it will be done in 3D. It will be performed by the Royal Opera House of London!

I've included the link to the website if anyone is interested.

http://carmen3d.com/

Carmen 3D Trailer (1.5 minutes):

Let us know your critique! Thanks for the link - looks fabulous.

Well Puna if Carmen 3D comes to your area I strongly recommend you go and view it. The performance was spectacular, the singers, Christine Rice (Carmen) and Bryan Hymel (Don Jose) were amazing. If I wasn't such a big fan of Placido Domingo I would say that I have never heard a better Don Jose than in Bryan Hymel. His acting, delivery, powerfully emotional performance left me emotionally drained. And Christine Rice's voice was a beautiful deep mezzo that gave such rich, lusty life to Carmen! And lusty it was! My sons and myself included couldn't believe how racy it was. The producers really did a great job bringing Carmen the opera to life.

What I appreciated also was that the 3D affect was not a distraction but instead it enhanced your experience. You felt as if you were on stage with the singers mingling around them. My only disappointment was that they did not include the entr'acte or second intermezzo at the beginning of Act 3 (the serene arching melody on the flute over a harp accompaniment, with other instruments entering to converse with the flute).

All in all my sons and I were very impressed with the performance and it made them appreciate opera more so. Even though they have been exposed to it all their lives, opera was my thing and I played it at home frequently so Jake and Isaac were familiar with the genre. Though they are die hard metal fans they mentioned that they could hear similarities in the style of music, depending on the genre of metal.

OsoMajor, I wish there was a "like" button for your last post!
I have seen our local theatres advertising Opera performances (but never in 3D). I would like to check this out!

I second that "like" button. How wonderful. I want to check it out now and see where it's playing. It's so great to "see" you again OsoMajor!

Laduque, Teach, I'm glad you liked the review. I really can't say enough about this performance. It is that good! I've seen several versions of Carmen with many great singers but I have to say that this is by far the best,(except for the omission of the entr'act in Act 3).

I forgot to mention that the opera was staged at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. They actually take you inside the opera house prior to the performance and you get a breathtaking view of this beautiful theater. You see the people in their seats from the nose bleed section right up to the orchestra seats. Then of course you have a direct view inside the orchestra pit and conductor while they play the opening overture. It gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.

Laduque, I was able to find a location relatively close to you that's playing Carmen. It is in San Juan Capistrano. I will send you the link via personal message if you are interested.

Teach, I'm sorry to say I wasn't able to find a location for you at this time but I will also send you the location link in the hope that they will show it at a later date.

...L’amour est enfant de Bohême,
Il n’a jamais jamais connu de loi.
Si tou ne m’aimes pas, je t’aime.
Si je t’aime, prends garde à toi!

Carmen

I too am hoping this "Like" button is a feature in the soon-to-be-released version of this message board's software in the coming months.

To me, I'm not sure if seeing Carmen in 3D would be all that different than seeing it onstage. Or, I guess, that's the point, right? I'll consider going, though, as I've never seen it (can you believe that?!) except for the (2D) Spanish movie made a few years ago.

Saludos, MadridMan

MadridMan,

Is the 3-D version being shown in Spain right now? If so, can you list some theaters?

Not yet, no, but it seems the Cinesa will be carrying it when it does. According to the Carmen in 3D website, it'll be showing at the Príncipe Pío cinemas as well as at Cinesa Proyecciones on C/ Fuencarral, 136 but they don't tell when it'll premier.

Saludos, MadridMan

I'm surprised you've never been to a performance of Carmen MM. The 3D is not really necessary but it does enhance the experience. You see the actors up close as if you are next to them. During the seen where Carmen is reading her future in the cards you can see the tears flowing from her eyes as she sings about her demise. Again, it is the singing and performance that makes the production so good.

Study up on the libretto so you become familiar with the lyrics and story, though they do have subtitles at the bottom of the screen. They may be in Spanish if showing in Madrid.

I've only seen the (Spanish) movie "Carmen" but I don't recall it being a musical in any way.

I'm not too big on operas - although I've seen many here in Madrid. I've been burned too many times by those lasting 3-4 hours, all the while my neck craning up to read the Spanish subtitles waaaaay above the stage. Ouch! (snore!)

Saludos, MadridMan

MM, have you been to any Zarzuela performances and did you like it?

Can you believe I got hooked on opera in my teens! I was a young musician at the time and our high school music class was invited to attend a performance of The Barber of Seville at the Music Center in LA. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I expected a bunch of fat people in old clothes singing their lungs out. Well, to my surprise I really enjoyed it and from then on I became an opera fan. I even subscribed to an opera magazine and listened to the Texaco opera broadcasts on the classical music stations, live from the Met. Everyone in my family thought I was odd, except my older brother who is also an opera enthusiast.

I've not been to the Zarzuela yet, no.