Carmen July 2013 | Página 15

The most exciting thing is the challenge. Carmen is a big role
with some of the most popular and beautiful music ever written
for opera. Not only that but the role requires much variety in
terms of acting - the audience has to love and hate her; she has
to seduce them as she does Don Jose. This is also the most
terrifying part; everyone knows Carmen’s music, expectations
are high and being ‘sexy’ on demand is a difficult thing!

I hear you have some rather radical costumes in the show...
Yes, I have! Tight, short, bright, revealing, are all words you
could use to describe them... I’ve been on a diet since the
fitting! They are wonderful though and will bring a vibrancy and
freshness the production.

The Marriage of Figaro 2012

I imagine that a cattle auction ring is one of the strangest places
you have performed?
I have performed in many strange places; disused factories,
shopping markets, someone’s living room... But auction ring is
definitely up there! It is going to be just right for this opera; one
of the first ever operas written about real people. For the final
scene this setting will be absolutely perfect.

But is it intimidating having an audience so close
to the action?
Well, I think, as with any venue, you get used to it.
It’s nice in a way - it means the audience begin
to feel like part of the action - it makes it more
personal, and with a piece like Carmen, you want
the audience to be as involved as possible.

Quad bike???????? Well... Bring it on

Costume illustrations by Tom Paris © 2013

And the quad bike...