UK Theatre Network

Always a favourite, bold, brassy, colourful, Bizet sure knew he was doing, and so do the team at Opera Holland Park with their latest offering in their summer season.

The popularity of this opera endures because of the striking characters, wonderful chorus sections and of course the music. The first act and second acts contain some of the most famous pieces, the women leaving the tobacco factory, Carmen and love, and the tavern at Lillias Pastia's.

So its a lot to live up to - there have been so many productions.

Tara Venditti takes this role by the scruff of the neck. She is fiesty, she sings wonderfully and she imbues everything that Sean Ruane's Don José  desperately tries  to resist.  Ruane demonstrates the mad and murderous jealousy Don José  can't control. Julia Sporsen as Micaela performed with great delicacy, and was very much an audience favourite.  David Stephenson as Escamillo the bullfighter was dignified and simply delightful.

A minimal yet functional set does not invade your concentration and works perfectly, with lovely touches of colour and pomp in the fourth act.

A strong chorus lead by Hannah Pedley as Mercédès  provides the depth and richness that Bizet intended. Sevillian urchins sprawl and dart around the stage emulating a bullfight, the changing of the guards, the procession of the    Toreadors and first class perfomances City of London Sinfonia conducted by Matthew Willis.

Simply Wonderful.

Opera Holland Park

June 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19