“What? Carmen again? But it’s played everywhere, all the time!”
Yes, my friends, and for good reason. Its music is legendary, its arias unforgettable, and the entire opera a masterpiece that never gets old—no matter how many times you hear it.
Let’s not forget that Georges Bizet never got to witness the success of his own opera, as he passed away just before it truly took off. But today, Carmen is more than just an opera—it’s a cultural phenomenon, as universal as Coldplay in music or Titanic in cinema.
A City That Knows Its Opera
The National Theatre of Prague has an incredible talent pool at its disposal. Eastern Europe—especially the Czech Republic, Poland, and Ukraine—is full of phenomenal singers, many of whom go on to international careers. And yet again, Prague delivered a sold-out performance, as it so often does!
One thing I love about Prague is how much the audience truly cares about opera. There’s a real sense of dedication from both the public and the theatre itself, with a fantastic communication team that ensures every performance gets the attention it deserves.
And the result? Another unforgettable evening!
A strong performance, with one strange twist
Visually, the set design was simple but effective—nothing groundbreaking, but it worked well to frame the story. The production stayed true to the essence of Carmen, aside from one bizarre directorial choice: they decided to kill poor Zuniga on stage!
I have no idea why. The man just wanted to do his job, and suddenly—bam! He’s out. A bold choice, for sure, though I’m not convinced Bizet would have signed off on it…
Ramona Zacharias – A Carmen who owns the stage
Ramona Zacharias is no stranger to the role of Carmen, and it shows.
She completely embodied the character, effortlessly balancing Carmen’s seductive charm, fiery spirit, and ultimate defiance. Her delivery was a perfect mix of nonchalance and raw passion, making her performance both compelling and believable.
And let’s not forget—singing opera is hard enough, but singing in French is even harder. So bravo to the entire cast for pulling off a vocally demanding performance in a language that isn’t their own!
Final thoughts
Another Carmen? Yes. And would I go again? Absolutely.
With a dedicated audience, a strong cast, and the unmistakable magic of Bizet’s music, Prague once again proved why it’s one of Europe’s best opera destinations.
Even if Zuniga might disagree… 😉
CAST :
Carmen
Ramona Zacharias
Don José
Leonardo Caimi
Escamillo
Csaba Kotlár
Micaëla
Jana Sibera
Zuniga
Miloš Horák
Moralès
Lukáš Bařák
Frasquita
Yukiko Šrejmová-Kinjo
Mercédès
Sylva Čmugrová
Le Dancaïre
Jaroslav Březina
Le Remendado
Martin Šrejma
