Hungarian mezzo-soprano Viktoria Vizin to portray more human Carmen
- Source: Global Times
- [09:11 April 08 2011]
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Hungarian mezzo-soprano Viktoria Vizin, who has sung Carmen in 15 productions in the world's top opera houses, is to reprise the title role in a revised version by American theater director Francesca Zambello produced and staged at Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA).
The performance, running from Saturday until April 16, also features American tenor Brandon Jovanovich as Don Jos and Jossie P rez of Puerto Rico as Carmen in alternate set. The show, which has won critical acclaim following its debut last May will also lift the curtain on the NCPA's third annual Opera Festival, which will run for three months and feature original productions by the center.
Debuting as Carmen 11 years ago in Germany, Vizin said she didn't expect to attain the role so soon in her career as a mezzo-soprano.
"Carmen is not just an opera role; she is a free spirit and a character you can identify with because she is a very specific female character," Vizin said. "Carmen is a sassy and witty woman, and I hope through my portrayal to express this kind of feminine power."
Vizin said the fact that she's older than many actresses who have portrayed Carmen in the past means that she's able to bring more wisdom and experience to the gypsy character, one who cherishes freedom and independence and is determined to live the way she wants to in a male-dominated world.
