With the premiere of Carmen in 1875, Georges Bizet pulled off a real coup. The opera remains one of the most popular and most performed operas of all time. It is filled with enchanting melodies and stirring rhythms. Its title heroine is a strong woman, in stark contrast to the many passive, self-sacrificing female figures that populated the 18th century operatic landscape. For Whitsun, the Oper Leipzig will present an abridged version of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, under the musical direction of Matthias Foremney. Kathrin Göring sings the title role in this concert performance, which was recorded previously and will receive its online premiere on Friday, 21 May 2021, at 6:00pm. The Oper Leipzig presents the opera in an abridged version without an intermission – but with all the work’s most beloved melodies. This debut streaming performance was recorded at the production’s premiere at the Opernhaus, which was presented without an audience.

At the same time, the Oper Leipzig will virtually bring together all of its artists – from the Opera House, Leipzig Ballet, and the Musikalische Komödie – starting on Friday, 21 May 2021 at 6:00pm, when they’ll offer a variety of streaming productions online. In addition to an encore presentation of Gräfin Mariza and Solitude, Whitsun weekend will be filled with the sounds of Strauss and Verdi. Jakob Peters-Messer’s production of Il trovatore features Antonio Fogliani conducting the Gewandhausorchester, and the minimally-abridged concert version of Capriccio is led by Intendant and General Music Director Ulf Schirmer. And with Wagner’s birthday anniversary coming up (he was born on 22 May 1813), the Oper Leipzig will present an abridged version of Lohengrin with Michael Weinius in the title role, as well as Loriot’s reduced version of “Der Ring an einem Abend” with Axel Bulthaupt as narrator.

These magical seven streams – including Carmen – will stay online until Whitsun Monday at 10:00pm, and will all be available via the Oper Leipzig’s website: www.oper-leipzig.de.

Georges Bizet
Carmen
Opéra comique in four acts | Text by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy after the novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée | In French with German supertitles | Abridged version without an intermission in a production by Lindy Hume | Stage arrangement Luise Rabsch, after a set designed by Dan Potra | Costume Design Dan Potra
Musical direction | Matthias Foremney
With the Choir of Oper Leipzig and Gewandhausorchester
(see cast above…)

Musikalische Komödie
Gräfin Mariza | Digitale Eröffnung
Leipziger Ballett
Solitude
Oper
Lohengrin // Il trovatore // Der Ring an einem Abend // Capriccio // Carmen (Premiere)

Friday, 21 May 2021, 6:00pm, subsequently on demand until Whitsun Monday, 24 May 2021, 10:00pm
Oper Leipzig TV is offered to audiences free of charge.
Streaming Oper Leipzig TV on YouTube or on the Oper Leipzig’s homepage: www.oper-leipzig.de