Met Opera Newly Stages Carmen and La Forza del Destino in 2023-2024

Summary: The Metropolitan Opera newly stages Bizet's Carmen and Verdi's La Forza del Destino in the opera company's 2023-2024 season.

Aigul Akhmetshina adds one of opera's quintessential mezzo-soprano roles to her Met Opera portfolio in the 2023-2024 season with her appearances as the winter cast's Carmen in Carrie Cracknell's new production of Bizet's Carmen; the Russian mezzo-soprano recently made her Met Opera debut in the 2022-2023 season as Maddalena in Barlett Sher's modern visualization of Verdi's Rigoletto: Aigul Akhmetshina, via Facebook Nov. 17, 2022

The Metropolitan Opera newly stages Bizet's Carmen and Verdi's La Forza del Destino as updates to the opera company's repertoire in the 2023-2024 season.

The 2023-2024 Met Opera season's lineup of 18 operas features six new productions. Four of the new productions are staged as premieres: John Adams' El Niño, Daniel Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas, Anthony Davis's X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X and Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking. Two of the new productions update the opera company's repertoire with new stagings of Carmen by French Romantic Era composer Georges Bizet (Oct. 25, 1838-June 3, 1875) and of La Forza del Destino by 19th-century Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (Oct. 10, 1813-Jan. 27, 1901).

The 2023-2024 Met Opera season debuts a new production of Bizet's Carmen by Carrie Cracknell (born 1980). The British theatre director makes her Met Opera debut, along with her new production, in the opera company's 1,025th performance of Carmen.

Cracknell's new staging replaces the new 2009-2010 production debuted Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, by Richard Eyre (born March 28, 1943) in the opera company's 946th Carmen performance. The English film, opera, television and theatre director made his Met Opera debut in his new Carmen production. His Carmen production received 14 performances in the 2009-2010 season, with a closing date of Saturday, May 1, 2010.

Met Opera launched the first revival of Eyre's Carmen production in the next season, 2010-2011. The first revival comprised 12 performances, with opening and closing dates of Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, and Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, respectively.

A skip of the 2011-2012 season preceded the second revival's appearance in the 2012-2013 season. The second revival received 13 performances, with opening and closing dates of Friday, Sep. 28, 2012, and Friday, March 1, 2013, respectively.

Absence from the 2012-2013 season anteceded the presence of Eyre's Carmen production in the 2013-2014 season. The third revival received 16 performances, with opening and closing dates of Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2014, and Saturday, March 7, 2015, respectively.

After inactivity in the 2015-2016 season, Eyre's Carmen production experienced its fourth revival in the 2016-2017 season. A run of nine performances opened Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, and closed Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017.

The pattern of alternating seasons persisted with non-performance in the 2017-2018 season and activity in the 2018-2019 season. The fifth revival's 14 performances began Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. The closing date of Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, represented the last performance of Eyre's Carmen production.

In Met Opera's 2023-2024 season, Verdi's La Forza del Destino opens Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, as the second of two new stagings of repertory operas. Mariusz Treliński directs the new production. The Polish opera, theater and film director made his Met Opera debut Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, in the opera company's 25th performance of Bluebeard's Castle by Russian late-Romantic composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (May 7, 1840-Nov. 6, 1893).

Treliński's new staging of La Forza del Destino replaces the new 1995-1996 production debuted Thursday, Feb. 29, 1996, by Giancarlo Del Monaco (born Dec. 27, 1943). The Venice-born Italian stage director had made his Met Opera debut Oct. 10, 1991, in the opera company's 76th performance of La Fanciulla del West by Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini (Dec. 22, 1858-Nov. 29, 1924). Del Monaco's new 1995-1996 staging of La Forza del Destino received 10 performances, with a closing date of Friday, April 5.

The first revival of Del Monaco's Forza production also numbered as the production's last. The first revival opened Feb. 20, 2006, and closed March 23. The revival's closing date occurred during the opera company's 229th Forza performance and marked the first revival's ninth performance as well as the last of 19 performances allotted to Del Monte's Forza production by the Metropolitan Opera.

The 2023-2024 Met Opera season's refreshes of two repertory operas replace a regularly performed production and a rarely performed production. Eyre's Carmen staging was last performed in the 2018-2019 season. Its run of 79 performances encompassed five revivals. Del Monaco's Forza staging was last performed in the 2005-2006 season. Its run of 19 performances included one revival.

Mariusz Treliński's production of La Forza del Destino (Polish: Mocy przeznaczenia), which premiered Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Polish National Opera, Teatr Wielki, Warsaw, as a co-production with the Metropolitan Opera, receives its Metropolitan Opera premiere in the 2023-2024 season: Teatr Wielki -- Opera Narodowa, via Facebook Jan. 11, 2023

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Aigul Akhmetshina adds one of opera's quintessential mezzo-soprano roles to her Met Opera portfolio in the 2023-2024 season with her appearances as the winter cast's Carmen in Carrie Cracknell's new production of Bizet's Carmen; the Russian mezzo-soprano recently made her Met Opera debut in the 2022-2023 season as Maddalena in Barlett Sher's modern visualization of Verdi's Rigoletto: Aigul Akhmetshina, via Facebook Nov. 17, 2022, @ https://www.facebook.com/AigulAKMezzo/posts/pfbid023Z9o19hjk989PoCZ59j1MX8VrQzZpRn8kGjNvQNFUzGUiZABhgNtyLHidsfUboxbl

Mariusz Treliński's production of La Forza del Destino (Polish: Mocy przeznaczenia), which premiered Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Polish National Opera, Teatr Wielki, Warsaw, as a co-production with the Metropolitan Opera, receives its Metropolitan Opera premiere in the 2023-2024 season: Teatr Wielki -- Opera Narodowa, via Facebook Jan. 11, 2023, @ https://www.facebook.com/operanarodowa/posts/pfbid025Uezr5HdcAncMUE6kK6RqNcvzq75moL4DE1eVKfZvvLWGGaX4vyRrFHAKQjFwGWsl

For further information:

Aigul Akhmetshina. "As Maddalena, Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina displayed a plush and punchy sound that matched perfectly with bass John Relyea throughout the trio. She played up her flirtation with the Duke throughout the quartet and then provided assertiveness throughout the trio. 'OperaWire' @operawire David Salazar @tact_international_management @marcin.kopec.tact4art." Facebook. Nov. 17, 2022.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/AigulAKMezzo/posts/pfbid023Z9o19hjk989PoCZ59j1MX8VrQzZpRn8kGjNvQNFUzGUiZABhgNtyLHidsfUboxbl
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=460875686151282&set=pb.100066865636023.-2207520000

"Debut: Perry Ward, Kim Josephson, Hao Jiang Tian, Leonard Slatkin, Giancarlo Del Monaco, Michael Scott." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 306170 New Production La Fanciulla del West {76} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/10/1991. (Debut: Perry Ward, Kim Josephson, Hao Jiang Tian, Leonard Slatkin, Giancarlo Del Monaco, Michael Scott). Metropolitan Opera House October 10, 1991 Benefit sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera Guild New Production.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=306170

"Debuts: Ilya Bannik, Mariusz Trelinski, Boris Kudlicka, Marek Adamski, Marc Heinz, Tomasz Wygoda, Bartek Macias, Piotr Gruszczynski, Cassandra Zoé Velasco, Eichin Azizov." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 355785 Metropolitan Opera Premiere (Iolanta) New Production (Bluebeard's Castle) Iolanta {1} Bluebeard's Castle {25} Metropolitan Opera House: 01/29/2015, Metropolitan Opera Radio Sirius XM channel 74 Broadcast live Streamed at metopera.org (Debuts: Ilya Bannik, Mariusz Trelinski, Boris Kudlicka, Marek Adamski, Marc Heinz, Tomasz Wygoda, Bartek Macias, Piotr Gruszczynski, Cassandra Zoé Velasco, Eichin Azizov Broadcast/Streamed). Metropolitan Opera House January 29, 2015 Broadcast/Streamed Metropolitan Opera Premiere.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=355785

“Debuts: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Richard Eyre, Rob Howell, Irene Bohan, Elizabeth Caballero, Maria Kowroski, Martin Harvey.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 353274 New Production Carmen {946} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/31/2009, Sirius and XM Metropolitan Opera Broadcast. (Debuts: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Richard Eyre, Rob Howell, Irene Bohan, Elizabeth Caballero, Maria Kowroski, Martin Harvey Broadcast). Metropolitan Opera House December 31, 2009 Broadcast New Year's Eve Gala New Production.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=353274

Marriner, Derdriu. "Carmen Is the Feb. 2, 2019, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, Jan. 28, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/01/carmen-is-feb-2-2019-met-opera-saturday.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Carmen Is the Feb. 11, 2017, Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, Feb. 6, 2017.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2017/02/carmen-is-feb-11-2017-metropolitan.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Carmen Opened Jan. 5, 1884, as 16th Opera in Met Opera's First Season." Earth and Space News. Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2021/01/carmen-opened-jan-5-1884-as-16th-opera.html

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Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2020/08/carmen-was-franco-zeffirellis-10th-met.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Four of Six 2023-2024 Met Opera Season New Productions Are Premieres." Earth and Space News. Sep. 4, 2023.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2023/09/four-of-six-2023-2024-met-opera-season.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Iolanta and Bluebeard’s Castle Are the Feb. 9, 2019, Met Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcast." Earth and Space News. Monday, Feb. 4, 2019.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2019/02/iolanta-and-bluebeards-castle-are-feb-9.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Kathleen Howard Sang Carmen in Europe But Never at Metropolitan Opera." Earth and Space News. Monday, Sep. 13, 2021.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2021/09/kathleen-howard-sang-carmen-in-europe.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "The Metropolitan Opera Performs 18 Operas in the 2023-2024 Season." Earth and Space News. Aug. 21, 2023.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-metropolitan-opera-performs-18.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Metropolitan Opera Revives 12 Productions in 2023-2024 Season." Earth and Space News. Aug. 28, 2023.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2023/08/metropolitan-opera-revives-12.html

“Metropolitan Opera Premiere: Carmen.” [Met Performance] CID: 1560 Metropolitan Opera Premiere Carmen {1} Boston Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts: 01/5/1884.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=1560

Metropolitan Opera Premiere: La Forza del Destino." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 70040 Metropolitan Opera Premiere La Forza del Destino {1} Metropolitan Opera House: 11/15/1918. (Metropolitan Opera Premiere)(Debuts: Rosa Ponselle, Alice Gentle, Giordano Paltrinieri, Witold Gordon Reviews / Chapter: Rosa Ponselle). Metropolitan Opera House November 15, 1918 Metropolitan Opera Premiere.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=70040

“New Production: Carmen.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 326320 New Production Carmen {840} Metropolitan Opera House: 10/31/1996.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=326320

“New Production: Carmen.” MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 353274 New Production Carmen {946} Metropolitan Opera House: 12/31/2009, Sirius and XM Metropolitan Opera Broadcast. (Debuts: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Richard Eyre, Rob Howell, Irene Bohan, Elizabeth Caballero, Maria Kowroski, Martin Harvey Broadcast). Metropolitan Opera House December 31, 2009 Broadcast New Year's Eve Gala New Production.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=353274

"New Production: La Forza del Destino." MetOpera Database > [Met Performance] CID: 323470 New Production La Forza del Destino {211} Metropolitan Opera House: 02/29/1996. (Reviews) Metropolitan Opera House February 29, 1996 New Production.
Available @ http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=323470

Opera Narodowa @Opera_Narodowa. "Mariusz Treliński's production of 'La forza del destino' really opened with a bang last Friday! Congratulations to the creatives & performers and a big thank you to our wonderful audience for the enthusiastic welcome and standing ovation!" Twitter. Jan. 16, 2023.
Available via Twitter @ https://twitter.com/Opera_Narodowa/status/1614983884977971201

Teatr Wielki -- Opera Narodowa. "Przed nami próba generalna „Mocy przeznaczenia”. Kto ciekawy, jak wyglądają ostatnie przedpremierowe przygotowania, niech zajrzy dzisiaj wieczorem do naszych stories - za kulisy spektaklu Mariusza Trelińskiego, przygotowywanego w koprodukcji z The Metropolitan Opera, wprowadzi Was dramaturg Marcin Cecko. Trzymajcie kciuki i bądźcie z nami! Od lewej: Monika Ledzion-Porczyńska (Preziosilla), Izabela Matula Soprano (Donna Leonora), Krzysztof Szumański (Don Carlo di Vargas), fot. Krzysztof Bieliński." Facebook Jan. 11, 2023.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/operanarodowa/posts/pfbid025Uezr5HdcAncMUE6kK6RqNcvzq75moL4DE1eVKfZvvLWGGaX4vyRrFHAKQjFwGWsl