★★★★ Juventus Lyrica, the opera company that has been generating opportunities for young artists with quality shows for more than twenty years, was able to resume its performances with the public a few months ago. But these performances of “Carmen” marked the group’s full return with a complete work staged at the Avenida Theater.
The allure of Bizet’s opera, one of the world’s most popular, remains as compelling as the magnetism of its protagonist, the seductive freedom-loving gypsy whose fate is fatally cut short at the hands of a violent man. Much of the weight of the work falls on the singer who assumes the main role, in whom her vocal quality, stage presence and charisma cannot be lacking. All this was shown by the mezzo-soprano Rocío Arbizu, owner of a sumptuous voice with a powerful low register, which displayed sensuality and temperament from her first appearance. As her antagonist, the young Micaela, the soprano Carolina Gómez knew how to capture the sensitivity and courage of the character. The tenor Cristian Taleb found the exact nuances for the demanding role of Don José, between the lyricism of the first two acts and the violence of the last two, while the baritone Juan Salvador Trupia was an Escamillo with a good voice and haughty presence.
The staging of Ana D’Anna and María Jaunarena was supported by meticulous acting work, which helped highlight the dramatic richness of the characters. In an impeccable task as musical director, Hernán Sánchez Arteaga achieved flawless performances by the choir and the orchestra, to complete this great proposal by Juventus Lyrica in his return to the field of opera.
