Opera Bites: Royal Opera House brings 'Carmen' to the big screen in 3-D

More opera is coming to Cape Girardeau, and this time the performances can be seen at Cape West 14 Cine in Cape Girardeau. George Bizet's "Carmen" will be shown in 3-D at 1 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.

This production of "Carmen" is from the Royal Opera House, London. Francesca Zambello's version of "Carmen" is set in modern times. Christine Rice is Carmen, Bryan Hymel is Don Jose and Aris Argiris is Escamillo.

The first performance of "Carmen" was March 3, 1875, in Paris. The story of the Gypsy girl and her tumultuous love affairs created a scandal, and the premier was a disaster. The audience did not like the realistic portrayal of sensuality and rebelliousness. They didn't like the character of Carmen, either; they considered her the villain of the story.

"Carmen" tells the story of Don Jose, an unfortunate soldier. He falls in love with Carmen and for a while they seem to be happy together. However, when she meets the bullfighter Escamillo, she falls for him and Don Jose is driven mad by jealousy. He kills her at the end of the opera.

The setting is the fabulous Spanish city of Seville. Carmen and her friends work in the cigarette factory there, and they are a sensual group of young women. It is a wonderful story and, of course, the music is familiar to almost everyone, even people who have never seen the opera. In 3-D it should be quite an experience.

Barbara Herbert is an opera lover and host of KRCU's "Sunday Night at the Opera."