Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku will host the "Carmen" opera by George Bizet on December 2.

One of the most popular opera singers in Europe and America, leading soloist of the Belarus National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater Oksana Volkova will play a fiery gypsy girl Carmen, Trend Life reported.

Since 2013, Oksana Volkova annually takes part in the performances of the New York Metropolitan Opera, dedicated to the opening of the theatrical season. In addition to the Metropolitan Opera, she performs at the most prestigious stages of Russia, Europe, and Latin America.

The foreign press enthusiastically responds about her performances, calling her "a brilliant actress, a diva and opera star of the opera." Opera critics note her phenomenal vocal, as well as spectacular and beautiful appearance as an actress.

Andrey Romanenko, the soloist of the National Opera of Ukraine, laureates of international competitions, the People's Artist of Ukraine will perform in the role of Don José.

Along with foreign guests, the leading soloists of the Azerbaijan Opera and Ballet Theater, honored artists Ali Asgarov (Zuniga), Inara Babayeva (Micaelli), Jahangir Gurbanov (Escamilio), Gulnaz Ismayilova (Frascati), Aliahmed Ibrahimov (Romendado), solorists Nina Makarova ( Mercedes) and Tural Aghasiyev (Dancaïre) will also take part in the play.

The ballet will be conducted by Honored Artist of Azerbaijan, Eyyub Guliyev.

"Carmen" is an opera in four acts by French composer Georges Bizet, based on a novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée. The opera is written in the genre of opéra comique. "Carmen" has since become one of the best-loved operas, performed in the classical canon.

Carmen was a gypsy girl who worked in a cigar factory. An army officer, Don José, was called to the factory because a fight broke out. He arrested Carmen because she hit another woman. However, he became enchanted with the exotic Carmen, and let her escape.

Don José deserted the army and followed Carmen into the mountains. But the beautiful gypsy soon tired of the steadfast Don José, and she fell in love with Escamillo, a dashing bullfighter. Devastated, Don José confronted Carmen outside the bullring. As the crowd cheered Escamillo in the background, Don José stabbed Carmen to death.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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