Carmen Post-Mortem

Dear Readers,

I am sorry that I, again, have been so delinquent in writing to you. I realize that between hand-written letters to friends, facebook, and twitter that I neglect to update this blog. I apologize. There is a lot to share, buckle up!

I would like to tell you what a fantastic experience I had as El Remendado in Michigan Opera Theatre's of George Bizet's Carmen. The cast of Carmen was probably the most inclusive and amiable cast with whom I have worked in Michigan. While I am not a religious person, we must have been blessed to open the David DiChiera legacy season with such an affable and talented group: Ginger Costa-Jackson (Carmen); Sandy Eddy (Carmen); Marcelo Puente (Don Jose); Alok Kumar (Don Jose); Cecilia Violetta Lopez (Micaela); Luis Alejandro Orozco (Escamillo). Of course the MOT Studio was beautifully represented by Jeff Byrnes (Don Cairo); Brianna Hunter (Mercedes); Angela Theis (Frasquita); Brent Smith (Zuniga). I can't forget the fantastic Harry Greenleaf (Morales). You should remember Harry from MOT's production of Copland's The Tender Land. That boy is on fire! He will be back at MOT for two other production this year; we're lucky to have him.

I heard one reviewer write "an embarrassment of great talent." This could be said of our Carmen.

While this was my third production of Carmen, it was my first as El Remendado [If you are a long time reader of my blog then you'll remember my May 2015 posts, and my November 2013 posts in which I recounted my performances as Don Jose]. In addition to playing that Gypsy Smuggler, I gave a lecture at Macomb County Community College introducing a packed auditorium to the Opera. We even had to turn about 40 people away! It's nice to exercise my Doctorale muscle from time to time.

I am also happy to say that my program notes, and the synopsis that Chris Voss and I collaborated on were used by Michigan Opera Theatre on its website. Those notes are slowly becoming my only scholarly work of any real value. I am proud of them.

I'll try to find some photos.

If you were on of the lucky people to be able to hear or see the show, good on you. If not, consider this post as some consolation.

As ever,
truly yours,
Joe

PS More soon!