GEORGES BIZET :: CARMEN
Conductor Jun Märkl
Regie: Peter Beauvais
Scenography, constumes Pier Luigi Samaritani
1900-2300
3:45 hrs
Chorus Ulrich Paetzholdt
Choreography Klaus Beelitz
Carmen Agnes Baltsa
Don José Julian Gavin
Schöneberger Sängerknaben
Last time I saw Carmen in Deutsche Oper Berlin
with Agnes Baltsa was February 5, 2000.
2004-09-25 almost not Carmen in Berlin with Agnes Baltsa.
I arrived early in Oslo, took the early bus to Sandefjord Airport Torp. 0615-0810. My plane was due to go to Copenhagen at 1215, but the plane didn't arrived until that time. Then it was 1235 boarding time, then when we were in the plane, they found a fault. Then we had to get out of the plane, and then it was to be repaired, so in the end 3 hours later than scheduled we left Torp. Unfortunately no direct-flight to Berlin in Copenhagen, I had to go via Munich. So in the end I was in Berlin Tegel 2035. The opera started 1900.
I took a taxi to Deutsche Oper Berlin. I was so lucky to be allowed inside to stand behind the door, for the last 30 minutes of Act 2, from the Smuggler-quintet. Julian Gavin sang a terrible Flower-song,
that was joyously applauded by the audience. I saw act 3 + 4 in my place, Agnes Baltsa sang magnificently the card-scene. And the end-duet was event brilliantly sung by Julian Gavin (Don Jose). The cast was mediocre, I found. But it was still nice to be there. I would have loved to see act 1 and the complete act 2.
