Nick in ETO's La Tragedie de Carmen

xantha · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:04 am Post subject:

What the critics say....

English Touring Opera's autumn repertoire consists of Dvorák's Rusalka and La Tragédie de Carmen, Peter Brook's digest of Bizet, first seen in 1981 in Paris. Given that the latter reduces the original to a terse theatrical game for four singers and chamber ensemble, it seems, on the surface, the perfect work for ETO to take to the smallish venues that other companies ignore. Yet the fiddly, flashback narrative, knowingly and ironically dependent on prior knowledge of the original, also makes it a less than ideal piece for the first-time opera-goers that ETO are also hoping to attract.
They perform the piece superbly and persuasively, however. Director Andrew Steggall sets it in a nightclub, where David Curry's José and Nicholas Garrett's Escamillo, hunks both, are squaring off over Leah-Marian Jones's Dietrich-like Carmen, while Sinead Campbell-Wallace's aggressively prim Micaela looks on. Very sexy and quite violent, it is both super-cool and immensely gripping.
(The Guardian)

novice · Joined: Feb 12, 2006 Posts: 556

Can't wait to read the review, the guardians review is interesting and I wish I could see it for my self.
Though I can see where the 'hunks' take your view from the real reason one would have been there!
Very nice pictures!

xrainy · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:27 am Post subject:

Oh Just seen Nick's in Lincoln on Saturday. And darn I'm at work. Would have liked to have seen this, but didn't realise it was happening. Embarassed

So I'll just have to look forward to the reviews instead. Very Happy

novice · Joined: Feb 12, 2006 Posts: 556

Aw sorry to hear xrainy! Can you tell work you have to see someone more important... lol - then dress up as it is halloween and no one would know it's actually you (just in case someone else from work is there too)! ...darn work.
No worries, I think Xaria said she will be there, first hand review should be on it's way.

xantha · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:56 am Post subject:

I was in Lincoln this weekend for a 2nd helping of the ETO's Carmen. I have to say I actually enjoyed it even more this 2nd time around. There had been a few minor changes since I saw it at Hackney and it added to the drama and intensity. Nick also appears a lot earlier on now as he first makes an appearance as a soldier in the street cafe who is charmed by Carmen. There's still no dancing during the Torreador song but he does do a few little moves when he is dressing in his torreador outfit just before the bullfight.
If anyone does have the chance to see it, they should try and go along to one of the remaining venues on this tour - it's well worth it.

xantha · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

You can now view a clip of Carmen (including Nick in his various costumes) on the ETO website. CLICK HERE

xaria · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

Carmen was brilliant! Smile

I saw both performances in Lincoln, and both were superb. It's a very different production to what is known of Carmen - no dancing and no flashy Spanish costumes - still very impressive. Nick was fabulous of course and I was able to speak to him after Thursday's show, and also after Rusalka which was on the Friday (Nick had been to see his colleagues performance.) x

xantha · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 1:43 pm Post subject:

...and Nicholas Garrett's Escamillo also had his own shirtless moment in the final act.

Garrett's wasn't the usual swaggering Escamillo: after all in this version he is simply a bloke who come into the bar who happens to be a toreador, rather than one accompanied by a chorus of adoring fans. Garret sang the role finely, with excellent French diction and clarity of words. There were moments when I wondered if the role sat a little high for him; if it did he disguised it well.

To read the full review CLICK HERE

....I guess the torreador's adoring fans were all in the audience!!

xantha · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

....His rival in love, Escamillo, was sung, by Nicholas Garrett, who sang, that challenging aria, with significant, dexterity. His role, however, seemed to lack, in importance.
Source:Primi Divi

To read the entire review CLICK HERE

xantha · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject:

A review from their performance in Exeter...

Fellow 'hunk' Nicholas Garrett, as bullfighter and love rival Escamillo, was also impressive.

Source:Whats on South West.

To read the review in full CLICK HERE

xantha · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

This review follows their performance at Snape Maltings...

.....This brings me to the Escamillo of Nicholas Garrett, who delivers a fabulous account of the role. He is an absolutely natural high baritone, with creamy tone and a real sense of musical line: the voice is secure and carries a natural resonance that is a constant pleasure to hear. The confrontation and fight scene with Don José was a musical highlight, both men conveying the menace of the moment while treating us to some great singing, until Carmen breaks them up. Garrett also looks the part to perfection as he slowly dons his matador's outfit, a rare splash of colour in the predominantly subdued palette of shades that designer Sarah Bacon gives us.

Source:Musicalcriticism

To read the review in full
CLICK HERE