CARMEN May 2009
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Burnett was the big surprise
Garry Post - Ann Arbor

Very enjoyable performance of Carmen on opening night last night. Kate Aldrich did not disappoint as Carmen. The big surprise for me was how great Janinah Burnett was in the role of Micaela, a role I did not even remember.

John Bellemer as Don Jose was also good in voice and acting.

Good job everyone!

Aldrich, Burnett stood out
un surdo - Plymouth

I agree, Ms. Burnett was an outstanding Micaela in the May 9 performance, both vocally and dramatically. Aldrich was a dependable Carmen and she can dance, too. Bellemer was uneven in his difficult role; he got better towards the Act IV climactic scene. Homero Velho, on the other hand, had a less then stellar evening: thin-voiced, wobbly, occasionally not in tune, with consistently poor french diction — otherwise he was a fine Escamillo (good job with the cape).

Unprofessional staging
Steven C. Sharp - Dearborn

We had no idea that we were attending amateur day at the opera. I have gone to high school musicals with more professional staging. In the opening scene we witness a man and woman strolling across the stage; he in spats and clothing reminiscent of 1900 and she wearing a somewhat modern dress from the 60's on up. Micaela had no costume change at all. She got to wear the same dress during the entire opera. Poor Escamillo was dressed more like an Argentine gaucho than a matador. We also found the Flamenco table top dance very dull and hardly worth the effort.

Kendall Gladen brought no fire or emotion to the role. William Joyner matched her with his lackluster performance as well. Who directed him to appear as if he was a hundred years old in the closing Act?

I wish we could demand our more than two-hundred dollars back that our seats cost. My wife has eagerly awaited this return of Carmen only to be thoroughly disappointed and disillusioned with your mediocre attempt.

Lisa Agazzi
New Opera Family - Macomb County

As for Lisa Agazzi, making her Michigan Opera Theatre debut — Brava! Lisa has a commanding presence on stage with a voice to match. She is beautiful and, as a classically trained mezzo soprano, her instrument is a treat to hear with its strength, sensuality and sweetness all at the same time.

Good job, everyone! We are returning on Saturday to enjoy it all over again.

What matters is, can they sing?
Ralph - Westland

Both ladies were fine indeed, Kate Aldrich was superior, in my opinion, than some higher profile singers. Janinah Burnett was excellent as well. The Don Jose was miscast, having trouble with the flower song that only reaches b flat and the Escamillo as well, the poor man sounded 90 years old. They look good but are not up to the mark. Let's not give in to "the little black dress" thing, and get some bigger, less attractive people who can really sing! Remember Caballe, McCracken, big Callas (as opposed to thin Callas), Nilsson etc... Oh well, I can be wistful.

Lock out latecomers!
Wink - Detroit

I'm truly astounded that so many patrons managed to arrive LONG after the ticketed performance start times & were then allowed to be seated. I'm truly ashamed that so many latecomers were allowed to be seated & interrupted my pleasure. I paid dearly to enjoy a seat at two performances & both times it was interrupted by latecomers blocking my view.

QUESTION... Do these latecomers bother to check the "performance start time" printed on their tickets?

Why are a few stragglers allowed to spoil everyone else's experience? They should be locked out until intermission.

Lacked "fuego"
Solene - Detroit

I have seen Carmen many times and this is my favorite opera. I went to Detroit opera's closing representation. I must admit that I was deeply disappointed by the staging. Overall, I did not like the costumes. Don Escamillo did not look like a Matador. His costume in the last scene was a pale matador costume imitation. The flamenco table dance was dull and did not add to the opera. Who made Kendall Gladen play castanets when she obviously does not know how to play the instrument? Overall, the staging lacked the Spanish "fuego" that makes Carmen my favorite opera.

However, the lighting effects were magnificent. Act IV play on shadows was very dramatic. Act III's mountains were eerie.

I was impressed by Kendall Gladen's (Carmen) acting. She brought life to every scene. Janinah Burnett (Micaela) was perfect in her role as well. Both ladies were fine both vocally and dramatically. William Joyner was a dependable Don Jose. Homero Velho, however, was a disappointing Don Escamillo. His French pronunciation was poor and he lacked the force required to correctly portray Don Jose's nemesis.

Last, I must say that this was my first outing at the Detroit opera, which I found to be a magnificent building. One of the hidden treasures that Detroit abounds in.

Photos by John Grigaitis