Carmen as a “matador” at the center of the arena : the directorial version of Esposito for the Teatro Goldoni

On November 2013 the Teatro Goldoni of Livorno staged a new production of the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet in co-production with the Teatro Verdi of Pisa and the Teatro del Giglio of Lucca and in collaboration with the Teatro della Fortuna of  Fano.
The Bizet’s masterpiece, one of the most revolutionary operas of musical theater, was staged by Teatro Goldoni in the original version of opéra-comique, with spoken dialogues. A deliberate choice to enhance the stylistic eclecticism of the musical score, capable of ranging with extraordinary lightness  from the subtlety and brilliance typical of French opera to the lyrical depth represented by the characters of José and Micaela and to  the dramatic spikes that lead to the final catastrophe.
The Fondazione Goldoni, which over the years had placed the female figure at the center of its theatrical seasons, dedicated Carmen as a manifesto against one of the most tragic and current topics of  chronicles: the feminicide.
Jamais Carmen ne cédera… – the protagonist sings in the final duet – Libre elle est neé e libre elle mourra!”,  thus becoming a timeless myth, an appeal and commitment in defense of women’s freedom in a daily drama situation.
This is the interpretation of Carmen wanted by the Theatre and by the director  Francesco Esposito, who pointed on a timeless and essential reading  of the opera , enhancing the enigmatic and seductive charm of the protagonist, like an embodiment of freedom and emancipation impulses of modern woman.
Hence  descends the strength of a peculiar character that Esposito ” sees as a matador to the center of the arena”, with a passionate and mediterranean nature but at the same time very rational and disciplined.
Conversely, Josè is the bull stunned by “matare”, the man who destroys his life because blinded by the “rossa  muleta” or dazzled by the personality of a new, special and free woman.
Scenes signed by Nicola Bruschi, costumes by Fondazione Teatro Goldoni and  Teatro Alighieri of Ravenna, costume designer Alessandro Lai, lights by Bruno Ciulli.