'Carmen' promises an evening of high drama from the KL City Opera

Samantha Chong (Carmen) and Yap Jin Hin (Don Jose) capturing an intense moment during a rehearsal session for Kuala Lumpur City Opera's upcoming production of 'Carmen' at KLPac, starting Oct 8. Photo: KLCO

The story of Carmen is as dramatic as they come, a classic tale of passion and betrayal revolving around the loves and life of a cigarette girl who works at a tobacco factory. The gypsy woman of this opera is a hot-tempered, impetuous and sensual soul, brought to life by French composer Georges Bizet’s rousing operatic score.

In this tragic tale, which is based on a novella of the same title by French writer Prosper Merimee, the beautiful Carmen seduces a soldier called Don Jose, who falls hard for her and ends up killing someone in his infatuation. When Carmen leaves him for famous toreador Escamillo, he is taken over by a fit of rage and jealousy, and commits an unspeakable crime.