Curtains are finally rising again after a second prolonged COVID-19 shutdown. Orchestre classique de Montréal (OCM) has announced that it will mount an abridged, semi-staged adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen, featuring mezzo‑soprano Julie Nesrallah in the title role and conductor Boris Brott on the podium. Two staged performances will take place March 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Pierre‑Mercure Hall.
The orchestra’s 82nd season, entitled Women of Distinction, honours great women from outside the music world at each concert by celebrating their unique contributions to the community. To open Carmen, OCM will pay tribute to Moroccan‑born Québécoise Danièle Henkel, a highly successful businesswoman.
OCM’s Carmen will focus on the opera’s four main leads: Carmen, sung by Lebanese-Canadian Nesrallah; Don José, sung by Mexican-Canadian tenor Ernesto Ramírez; Micaëla, sung by Cameroonian-Canadian soprano Suzanne Taffot; and Escamillo, sung by Québec baritone Hugo Laporte. Centaur Theatre Artistic Director Eda Holmes will stage the show, with Anne‑Catherine Simard‑Deraspe providing the lighting design.
Julie Nesrallah, a versatile singer, actress and popular radio host, regularly performs with opera companies, symphony orchestras and festivals around the world. Carmen is a signature role in which she has captured audiences with her vibrant personality and expressive voice.
More details and tickets for OCM’s Carmen available here.
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Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
