棕榈滩歌剧院——乔治·比才的歌剧《卡门》——扎卡里·尼尔森饰演埃斯卡米洛。摄影：布鲁斯·贝内特

Palm Beach Opera, celebrating its sixtieth anniversary, launched its 2022 season with a highly entertaining production of Bizet’s
Carmen
. Starring in the title role, J’Nai Bridges superbly embodied, both vocally and dramatically, Carmen’s indomitable spirit and seductiveness, beginning with her
habañera
(‘L’amour est un oiseau rebelle’), declaring her philosophy of life and love. She exuded irresistible sexuality in the
seguidilla
(‘Près des remparts de Séville’), seducing Don José and persuading him to set her free. And her final duet with José (‘C’est toi! – C’est moi!’) displayed Carmen’s fearlessness even as José kills her, bringing about the fate predicted for her by the fortune-telling cards and presaged by a recurring orchestral ‘fate’ motif.
In his Act Two ‘flower song’ (‘La fleur que tu m’avais jetée’), Jonathan Burton’s sweet tenor ardently expressed José’s love for Carmen, and he effectively portrayed his obsessive attachment to her in the final scene. Zachary Nelson’s rendition of Escamillio’s ‘toreador song’ (‘Votre toast’) was stirring and vigorous. Yet, neither of these rival lovers, despite their passionate singing, managed to establish much chemistry with Carmen. There was, however, tangible chemistry between José and Micaëla, winningly portrayed by Amanda Woodbury, in their Act One duet (‘Parle-moi de ma mère’). Her Act Three aria (‘Je dis que rien ne m’épouvante’) when she persuades him to leave Carmen and return to his dying mother’s bedside, was touchingly beautiful.
Christopher Humbert, Jr. was outstanding as José’s superior, Zuniga, who also succumbs to Carmen’s attractions, and Timothy Renner was a fine Moralès. Among the highlights of the performance was the delightful smugglers’ sextet, in which Bridges and Burton were joined by four singers from the company’s Benenson Young Artist Program.
R. Keith Brumley’s serviceable set was tweaked between Acts to transform the locale from the square adjoining the cigarette factory to Lillas Pastia’s inn, the smugglers’ mountainside retreat, and finally the exterior of the corrida. James Sale’s lighting was most effective in the moonlit Act Three, and Robert Perdziola’scostume designs were especially attractive in the final Act, with even the colorful ‘suit-of-lights’ worn by Escamillo outshone by Carmen’s stunning white gown.
Antonello Allemandi led the Orchestra in a spirited rendition of Bizet’s score, its fine playing especially enjoyable in the entr’actes. Flutist Karen Fuller’s playing was noteworthy throughout, especially so in duet with Kay Kemper’s harp. The large Chorus excelled, as did the children. Donna Morgan’s choreography, performed by flamenco dancers from Ballet Palm Beach, added color to the gathering at the inn. The procession into the Plaza de Toros in Act Four was particularly well-staged, but none of the fight scenes were convincing.
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