The Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater (SZODT) is collaborating with Staatsoper Hamburg from Germany to present George Bizet’s classic French-language opera “Carmen” at the Shenzhen Poly Theater on Jan. 27-28.

Featuring an array of international artists, this rendition of “Carmen,” the first in-depth collaboration between Shenzhen and an esteemed global opera theater, promises to present Bizet’s masterpiece in a fresh and innovative manner.

“Carmen” performers listen to director Petra Deidda (2nd R) during a rehearsal at Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater on Jan. 15.  Photos by Lin Songtao

The audience can not only enjoy the well-crafted story, listen to popular arias such as “L’amour est un Oiseau Rebelle” and admire dazzling dances, but also experience a new take on the classic tale from a contemporary perspective.

“We will see the entire story from the point view of Carmen herself, and we will have three Carmens on stage: a little girl, a woman and a singer. … It will appear like a dream or a memory,” said the show director Petra Deidda, who is from La Scala Theater in Italy and has participated in 30 opera productions worldwide.

Set in 19th-century Seville, Spain, “Carmen” follows soldier Don José, who falls in love with the alluring and free-spirited Carmen, a cigarette factory worker. Driven by his love for her, Don José joins Carmen’s smuggler group and descends into jealousy and violence as Carmen’s affections shift to the glamorous toreador, Escamillo.

Conductor Vladimir Conta in a rehearsal in Shenzhen on Jan. 15.

Throughout, the opera is imbued with Spanish melodies, flamenco and arias, expressing the essence of love, freedom and betrayal.

The Shenzhen version combines reality and fantasy, integrating Carmen’s spiritual world with the classic plot, guiding the audience into exploring her inner world and delving into her confusions, joys and sorrows at different stages of life. The contrast between the virtual and the real serves to highlight the cruelty and ruthlessness of the real world, conveying a powerful impact.

“Carmen is a very strong, powerful woman who fights for liberty, for joy, and lives life to the fullest,” said Ginger Costa-Jackson, who portrays Carmen in the Shenzhen show. She is a versatile mezzo-soprano who has regularly performed at the world’s leading opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and Opéra National de Paris.

Director Petra Deidda (2nd R) during a rehearsal in Shenzhen.

“The amazing thing about ‘Carmen’ is the story, the score, the characters; they are full of life and the music has a lot of energy in it. … The stories are beautifully told and well-crafted. … When you see it, you won’t forget it,” said tenor Norman Reinhardt who plays Don José. Reinhardt, one of the world’s leading operatic tenors, has been a fixture of the international operatic scene with a career spanning 20 years.

According to director Deidda, they creatively employ symbolic and dreamy stage sets; the large sloping stage symbolizes the exploration between balance and imbalance. Using Tarot cards from Gypsy culture as a motif and integrating Chinese elements such as fans, the show will be presented in a refreshing style.

“We put together two different worlds, the Western and the Eastern worlds, so the concept came out from these ideas,” said Deidda.

“It’s such a masterpiece that you can only be enthusiastic and push forward,” said the show’s conductor Vladimir Conta, who has been serving as conductor at the Bucharest National Opera since 2001.

The opera “Carmen” brings together top artists from the world to form a brilliant cast. Escamillo will be played by baritone Andrii Kymach, the first prize winner of the prestigious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2019.

“Carmen” performers during a rehearsal on Jan. 15. 

Micaëla will be played by South Korean soprano Narea Son, who became the first prize laureate for the international singing competition Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg 2022.

SZODT conductor Mu Wenhao is the assistant conductor and choral conductor; young conductor Hu Manxue serves as the children’s choir conductor.

Chinese tenor Ma Teng, baritones Lee Geng and Wang Shi, soprano Ruan Hongping, mezzo-soprano Shakira Zoe Tsindos, bass Hubert Kowalczyk, SZODT’s opera troupe and choir, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and the Shenzhen Concert Hall Golden Treelet Multi-Ethnic Children’s Choir will also perform.

Regarding this collaboration, Zheng Wenxia, in charge of SZODT, said: “The joint production and performance of ‘Carmen’ not only integrate various resources but also cultivate our team, nurturing artistic talents to hold an international perspective.”

“It is not just a performance, but a starting point for us to enter the international opera stage, and it will be a cornerstone for the Shenzhen opera sector’s future prosperity,” Zheng added.

Georges Delnon, artistic director of “Carmen” and Staatsoper Hamburg, also expressed his confidence, saying: “Through this opera, we are embarking on a series of high-quality opera productions in Shenzhen. These works are no longer merely imports but unique renditions crafted within the local culture.”

“Our opera team comprises distinguished artists from Asia, Europe and the Americas, alongside emerging young talents from around the globe, and we will develop more diverse shows,” he added.

Time: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27-28

Booking: WeChat account “SZpolytheatre”

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, Nanshan District (深圳保利剧院)

Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit E