The sets are relatively simple and the story is told in a straight-forward manner.

underlining the inherent conflicts between soldiers and townspeople. The current production opened on New Years Eve 2009, directed by Richard Eyre, who chose to update the story to the 1930 Spanish Civil War, thus emphasizing the political context of the piece - i.e. As Carmen you´d need a vocal heft, particularly in the lower register, that Gheorghiu simply does not have and furthermore in a house the size of the Met.not an obvious recipe for success, I´d say. However, so-called 'dramatic issues' also played a part in her cancellation. her separation from husband Roberto Alagna - as of now (2012) they seem to be together again though. Last time The New York Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Carmen was in 1997, directed by Zeffirelli with Waltraud Meier as Carmen ('it was the most horrible time in my career'), and Angela Gheorghiu ('that wig goes on stage with or without you') as Micäela. This time around, Angela Gheorghiu was originally scheduled as Carmen, but withdrew allegedly due to private problems - i.e.

Cast: Elina Garanca (Carmen), Roberto Alagna (Don J), Teddy Tahu Rhodes (Escamillo), Barbara Frittoli (Micaela).

Metropolitan opera house carmen