'Carmen' — The World's Most Performed Opera Is Showing In KL & Tickets Are Available Now
There will be six shows held in klpac!
By Laila Zain — 04 Oct 2022, 03:11 PM
Carmen is the world's most performed opera and it's back on stage in Malaysia!
Best known for its popular songs Toréador Song and Habanera, this is a treat you don't want to miss.
The opera portrays the gypsy life with exotic depictions and chromatic elements, highlighting the struggle between the dominant male figure and the femme fatale.
Created by a French composer named Georges Bizet, Carmen is a beloved fixture in opera houses all over the world, and known as one of the most popular operas ever written
The tale is about a group of gypsy smugglers whose attempts to bring their contraband into the city are foiled by Don José, an incorruptible officer in the Civil Guard.
In order to help her kinsmen, the sultry Carmen seduces him, persuading him to abandon his post and look the other way. When his infatuation leads him to kill a fellow guardsman in order to prevent her arrest, he becomes a wanted fugitive.
The capricious, fickle Carmen resents his possessiveness and leaves him for a famous toreador (bullfighter) in Seville. Obsessed and frustrated, a distraught Don José follows her to the bullring with tragic consequences.
And now the KL City Opera (KLCO) will be bringing Carmen to life!
Established in 2012, KLCO is the only active opera company in the country presenting Western operas.
Some of KLCO's past productions include Verdi's La Traviata, Puccini's La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, The Marriage of Figaro, Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel & Gretel, and more.
Conducting an orchestra ensemble of 27 players is Kuching-born conductor, Maestro Yap Ling, who currently resides in Kota Kinabalu
Well-known in the music industry and admired by many, Maestro Yap Ling established the Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) in Sabah!
Also on board for the production is Amelia Tan, an award winning stage director, actor, and lighting designer. Amelia previously directed KLCO's productions La fille du regiment, Madama Butterfly, and Die Zauberflöte.
The opera will feature a double cast for the leading roles of Carmen, Don José, Escamillo, and Micäela
Samantha Chong (left) and YiLing Chaing (right) will perform the role of Carmen.
Image via KLCO (Provided to SAYS)Samantha Chong and YiLing Chaing will perform the role of Carmen, and tenors Tan Chee Shen and Yap Jin Hin will sing the role of Don José. Playing the role of Escamillo will be Chi Hoe Mak and Shawn Liew. The role of Micaela will be shared by sopranos Sandy Cheng and Jane Soong.
Tan Chee Shen (left) and Yap Jin Hin (right) will sing the role of Don José.
Image via KLCO (Provided to SAYS)As part of KLCO's mission of providing a platform for young singers, Wilson Loh (Dancaire) makes their debut with the company, joining soprano Saori Suzuki (Frasquita), mezzo-soprano Lim Yee Fen (Mercedes), and tenor Heo Yueh Ren (Le Remendando) to complete the cast.
The opera will also feature the KL City Opera 40-member chorus, and children from the Opera for Kids workshop and Kuala Lumpur Children's Choir (Young Choral Academy).
Here are the show details for Carmen:
Date and time:
- Saturday, 8 October - 8PM
- Sunday, 9 October - 3PM
- Tuesday, 11 October - 8PM
- Wednesday, 12 October - 8PM
- Friday, 14 October - 8PM
- Saturday, 15 October - 8PM
Venue
Pentas 1, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), Jalan Strachan off Jalan Ipoh, 51100 Kuala Lumpur
Ticket Price
RM148, RM158, and RM168
Students get 50% off Cat 3 tickets. Minimum purchase five tickets and maximum 50 tickets; while stocks last. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Student/Senior/Disabled Price 10% discount.
Tickets are available online or klpac's Box Office 03-40479000.
