And her singing is secure, unfettered and beautiful right up to the opera”s tragic final scene.Ĭhavez was the center of Saturday”s opening, capably conducted by music director Joseph Marcheso, and despite mostly fine performances, no one else quite came up to her level. Haughty and intense, she radiates sensuality with a minimum of schtick. This Carmen avoids the hip-swinging clichs that have become synonymous with the character. Singing her mesmerizing entrance piece, the “Habanera,” her smoky, richly colored voice shaped the music in expressive, voluptuous phrases.Ĭhavez may surprise operagoers expecting stock gestures and poses. From her first appearance as the seductive gypsy who prizes freedom above all else, Chavez sounded terrific.

From Humperdinck”s Hansel to Rossini”s Isabella, she”s established herself as a versatile artist. Of course, it helps to have strong singer in the title role, and this “Carmen” has an excellent one in mezzo-soprano Lisa Chavez.Ĭhavez, a former member of OSJ”s resident ensemble, has appeared in a variety of roles for the company. Bizet”s 1875 score is a perennial favorite, one that retains its power to quicken the pulse and touch the heart, and the standing ovation and lusty cheers that greeted the cast at the end of the company”s three-hour performance were sufficient evidence of this opera”s enduring place in the repertoire.

Audiences never seem to tire of “Carmen,” and judging by the response at Opera San Jose”s opening night performance Saturday at the California Theatre, they likely never will.

Carmen opera san jose