Opera Naples Presents Georges Bizet Classic: Carmen

NAPLES, Fla. - March 5, 2019 - PRLog -- Naples' premier opera company, Opera Naples, will be presenting the Georges Bizet international classic Carmen, on April 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Artis-Naples' Hayes Hall.

Carmen presents a love triangle with the zesty temptress, Carmen, at the center between a love-struck soldier and a handsome bullfighter. Bizet's passionate love story, set in southern Spain, will be performed in French with English supertitles.

The audience will have the opportunity to experience an internationally-renowned cast and the prestigious Naples Philharmonic Orchestra in this fully staged production. The performance will include the Carmen classic, "Toreador Song," and will be conducted by internationally acclaimed Maestro Ramón Tebar.

The role of Carmen will be played by one of the rising stars of the opera world, the French mezzo-soprano, Gaëlle Arquez. Arquez graduated from Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris and since has been invited to sing in many of the most renowned opera houses in the world.

Micaëla, a village maiden, will be played by soprano Heather Phillips whose recent performances of Nannetta in Falstaff with Arizona Opera were described by Opera News as "beautiful" and "shimmering."

Rafael Davila will take on the role of the love-struck soldier, Don José, which he debuted with the Metropolitan Opera. Davila has quickly risen to be one of the most sought-after tenors of his generation having performed more than 60 roles to date.

Baritone Anatoli Sivko will portray matador Escamillo. Sivko is the recipient of highly acclaimed awards at the prestigious Francisco Viñas International Singing Contest and the Neue Stimmen Competition.

Tickets to the performances are currently available for purchase for $25, $55, $85, $110, and $115. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call (239) 963-9050 or visit operanaples.org.

About Opera Naples:

Located in the heart of Naples in Southwest Florida's Collier County, Opera Naples is dedicated to presenting opera productions and concerts of the highest quality. An artistic powerhouse in an area known for its pristine beaches world-class dining, shopping, and art galleries, Opera Naples is a cultural gem in Southwest Florida.

Opera Naples presents internationally renowned performers and directors, while nurturing the region's promising young talent. Each season, Opera Naples produces classic grand operas at Artis-Naples, as well as chamber opera and concerts at the David and Cecile Wang Opera Center.  A staunch proponent of community service and education outreach, the company has introduced opera to over 60,000 local area children since its inception and offers various programs, including Lee and Collier county in-school programs and performances, the Resident Artists Program and Summer Youth Program. Opera Naples Academy, now in its third season, with a faculty of revered opera luminaries, offers an immersive program of vocal instruction, lectures and masterclasses to exceptional singers from all over the world.

Opera Naples is led by Executive Director Timothy Todd Simmons who brings more than 20 years of executive and administrative leadership to Opera Naples from major American opera companies, and by internationally renowned Spanish conductor, Artistic Director Ramón Tebar, known for his musical versatility, compelling interpretations, and orchestra building skills.

Over the past decade, the company has earned local, regional, and state government support. Opera Naples is grateful to its sponsors, patrons, and many supporters who have helped it become an important part of the cultural fabric of the region. Opera Naples is located at the Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave, Naples, Florida, 34112 USA. For more information, visit OperaNaples.org, call (239) 963-9050 or email info@OperaNaples.org.