Carmen

BRISBANE BALLET PRESENTS ♉ CARMEN She belongs to no one. DESIRE / OBSESSION / BLOOD TWO NIGHTS ONLY FRIDAY 12 MARCH 7PM SATURDAY 13 MARCH 7PM THE STORY A woman who cannot be owned. A love that cannot survive. Beneath the burning Spanish sun, Carmen lives by her own rules. Fiercely independent, dangerously captivating and unwilling to surrender her freedom, she ignites a passion that will consume everything in its path. Don José, a soldier bound by duty, abandons his honour and his former love when he falls under Carmen's spell. But passion soon gives way to jealousy as Carmen turns her affections towards the celebrated bullfighter Escamillo. Against a backdrop of taverns, smugglers, Spanish dances and the spectacle of the bullring, desire becomes obsession. Carmen refuses to surrender her freedom, even when confronted with the ultimate price. "Love is a wild bird that no one can tame." THE PERFORMANCE Four Acts. One Tragic Fate. ACT I The Seduction Seville. Amid the bustle of the city, the captivating Carmen attracts the attention of the soldier Don José. A violent dispute leads to her arrest, but Carmen seduces José into helping her escape. A dangerous attraction begins, setting him on a path towards ruin. ACT II The Obsession Inside a lively Spanish tavern, Carmen dances amongst her companions. The charismatic bullfighter Escamillo arrives, drawing admiration and Carmen's interest. José returns, consumed by desire. Torn between love and duty, he abandons his military life and follows Carmen into the dangerous world of smugglers. ACT III The Betrayal In the mountains beyond Seville, the lovers' passion has turned bitter. Carmen foresees death in the cards, while José grows increasingly possessive. Escamillo's arrival provokes a dangerous confrontation. As their relationship disintegrates, Carmen chooses freedom over José's desperate demands. ACT IV Blood in the Arena Outside the bullring, Seville celebrates Escamillo's triumph. Carmen has chosen the bullfighter, but José cannot accept her rejection. As the crowd roars inside the arena, Carmen faces her former lover for the final time. She will not surrender. In a devastating conclusion, jealousy becomes violence and Carmen is killed by the man who claimed to love her. DRAMATIS PERSONAE The Characters CARMEN A fiercely independent woman whose passion and refusal to submit will shape her destiny. DON JOSÉ A soldier whose consuming love for Carmen descends into jealousy and obsession. ESCAMILLO A celebrated and charismatic bullfighter who captures Carmen's heart. MICAËLA José's devoted childhood sweetheart, representing the life and innocence he abandons. ZUNIGA A commanding military officer whose authority becomes entangled in José's downfall. FRASQUITA & MERCÉDÈS Carmen's companions, sharing her world of music, dance, freedom and danger. THE MUSIC GEORGES BIZET CHOREOGRAPHY EMRYS GOLDSWORTHY Artistic Director, Brisbane Ballet ♉ Passion has consequences. LOVE. JEALOUSY. DEATH. Experience the fire of Carmen. FRIDAY 12 & SATURDAY 13 MARCH 7PM BRISBANE BALLET