It may not be the Carmen of director Brenna Cornerâs dreams, or even the Carmen planned to celebrate Vancouver Operaâs first ever production six decades ago. Even so, Carmen: Up Close and Personal will end this most remarkable VO season, and what could be a better choice?
Over the years VO has presented Carmens both traditional and modern, not always to universal acclaim. Its controversial 1986 version by Romanian director Lucian Pintilie is still trundled out as a cautionary tale against those hell bent on doing something new.
Brenna Cornerâs work with VO has been both innovative and fun. Her Elixir of Love, set in a turn of the century small town, was one of the most lovable productions of recent seasons.