...exciting singer in the title role. I've seen so many now: Ewing, Bumbry, Garanca, Migenes, the choices are vast. Beatrice Uria-Monzon really looks like a gypsy factory worker; you can practically smell the sweat wafting from that voluptuous body. It's a pity therefore that she's the only remarkable thing in this lacklustre Barcelona production. Gyran has pointed out the many flaws in Calixto Bieito's stage direction; it's one of the worst I've ever seen. The Mercedes-Benz dealer in Barcelona must have supplied the cars used in the smuggler's scenes, they add the only note of elegance in the show.
Roberto Alagna has sung his part better, at the Met in 2010 for example. The lack of chemistry between this Don Jose and Carmen is noticeable. Schrott and Poplavskaya do well as Escamillo and Micaela. Carmen is my favourite opera: it is a shame therefore that it's been given such a forgettable production save for BU-M's contribution.
