Toreador

I am determined to experience as many musical styles as possible*, so last night was another toe dipped into the world of opera, after seeing “La Boheme” last February.
This time, it was Bizet’s well known passionate tale, “Carmen” and it was once again being performed by the excellent Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theatre, Kyiv, and produced by Ellen Kent. Unlike last year, which was in the sports hall of the Sands Centre, Carlisle, last night was in the much more ornate - and perhaps more fitting - surroundings of the Grand Theatre, Blackpool. We had excellent seats, although they could have done with a bit more padding as they were becoming quite uncomfortable by the end of four acts!
I really enjoyed the show - great singing, acting and dancing - and was surprised how many of the arias I actually recognised. As per last year, the evening ended with everyone in the audience on their feet for the cast’s emotional rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem
The company are also performing “Madama Butterfly” later in the month, but I’m not sure I can do two operas in such a short time. Maybe wait and see if they do it again next year.

*Except Rap stars or reality show winners. I don’t consider that what they do can be called music.