Carmen – Toreador Song (Bizet; Kostas Smoriginas, The Royal Opera)

Kostas Smoriginas as Escamillio in Barrie Kosky's Royal Opera production of Bizet's masterpiece.

Award-winning director Barrie Kosky provides a refreshing perspective on this well-known opera. He explores Carmen's ever-changing nature – marked by her series of contrasting costumes – and her vitality through dance. The pre-recorded voice of a narrator (perhaps Carmen herself) ensures that we experience the whole story from her perspective, and the production's unique performing edition (by Michael Rot) offers a chance for audience members to hear music Bizet omitted from the opera's first performances.

Carmen had only lukewarm success at its 1875 premiere - perhaps due to its unconventional subject – but soon became immensely popular, and has remained so. Its glorious score boasts a host of wonderful melodies, including Carmen's sensual Habanera and Seguidilla, Don José's tender Flower Aria and Escamillo's rousing Toreador's Song. There are also passionate duologues, above all the intense, final confrontation between Carmen and Don José.

[RoyalBalletAndOpera]

With our incredible ballets and operas, behind-the-scenes, Insights and exclusive series, Stream subscribers can watch the world’s greatest performers, emerging stars, leading choreographers and trailblazing creative teams from the comfort of their own home.

[StellaKrazelberg]

Didn't know Bizet specified choreography by The Temptations. I'd like to know who was the person that said "That's good" and who was the other person that said "Yes!"

[judegrace]

Didn’t know he needed his own mini trio snapping constantly behind him-

[karahvangelder]

Well, the pink socks certainly add visual interest...

[tajsam]

At 1:16 lights = off, and I see the eyes and mouth from the door, guys did you know what is that was? Oh, I remembered something, when it happen, that not was just eyes and mouth, that was... bear?...

[Ben-nhxw]

Some visions should never come to fruition

[sunnyomorii]

“Could this be the work of an enemy stand?”

Stand user: 2:35

[alexandervu]

Hor hor hor hor hor hor hor hor hor hor

[The_Lois]

Godly heavens thy the great bite of 1887 where mr Fredrik the fuszy brear the II where the candles of the ballrooms of Frederick fazbear the great pepperoni pizza are made truly a great art

[JustIn-xmvp]

I'm all for out of the box, innovative new productions. This is just tacky.

[_-lvkas-_]

so ein geiiles einfach viel zu wyyyld danke mann genau danach hab ich mein ganzes leben lang gesucht <3 #y

[helenzomoz]

Kostas is my favorite Escamillo, his attitude on stage trapped me and he really fits the attitude of the character. In this aria, I can say that technically he gets the perfect energy wich is possible to perceive in his great voice and his movements on stage. He seems to enjoy this aria as well as me
Perhaps, the dancers around him are unneccessary because his attitude and his voice are enough. Bravo Kostas!! Love your voice!!

[robinwangai]

I wonder what the animatronics are doing before 6 am.

[jplayzow]

Dunno why everyone is so uptight about this production like they can personally attest to Bizet's thoughts a century and a half after his passing. He probably would have loved the fact anyone remembers it exists enough to do this. Dude died within a couple of months of the original showing and it didn't get popular for months after.

[lopenash]

Oh modern interpretations of opera, I don't understand you but I love you so

[Mr.HongKongJ]

We had to sing this in fourth grade and my teacher said I was the only one that was good. Bruh my voice cracked

[davidmaclean]

I absolutely hated it! Dreadful, stupid and awful (no offense to anyone who liked it). Had to listen to it over and over again for a music thing at school. Wasted my time. Could've done much more interesting stuff like draw or somming.

[akgfilming]

Fun fact!

The fact that they have four prominent performers on the stage is a reference to the origin of this song, "Five Nights at Freddy's". This is because there are four main characters in this game.

(/s)

[Kinglink]

I'm not a traditionalist, you can change opera, you can improve it, you can do a lot with it.

But when something looks like this. yikes, and yet you still posted it. To those calling out people who don't like this... Do you REALLY like this? Like do you think it looks good, that it is worthy of a major product and not a high school musical? Don't try to interpret it to be good, look at what it actually is.

It just doesn't look good. This isn't a quote on what's allowed to be in Carmen, this is "Who said ok to this idea?"

[LLCCB]

What a fantastic interpretation of this piece and a stunning performance