Becoming Carmen
By Richard Price
If you ever go to an opera and try to make sense of it, you may find yourself wishing that you knew what they are warbling about. Often, operas are sung in other languages: for example, Carmen was written by Georges Bizet, a Frenchman. Consequently, the opera is sung in French. You might get that what’s being sung is about love or loss but unless you speak the language you don’t understand what has happened to the character. Moreover, you may find yourself asking what happened to this person before the story and why they are like they are. Prologue Opera is a new way of interacting with audiences that solves this. It was founded by Hastings’ residents along with professional opera singers, Celena Bridge and Anthony Flaum. They have impressive backgrounds and have sung principal roles for the UK’s leading opera companies, including English National Opera, Scottish Opera and Glyndebourne.
CREDIT: Richard Price
On 23 June, I watched Celena and Anthony performing a selection of arias and duets at The Beacon. They sang an excerpt from Carmen as well as some musical theatre numbers that hinted at the varied talent of the cast involved. This was more of a taster to Becoming Carmen which is going to be shown in Hastings at the Stables Theatre and Arts Centre on 8, 9, 11 and 12 November 2022.
The cast for Becoming Carmen have worked for every major UK opera house. Names such as the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, Glyndebourne, Scottish Opera, Buxton Festival and Grange Park Opera amongst others.
Having Prologue Opera perform is a good deal for Hastings. The company is at the start of their business; judging by the quality, its rise to fame should be exponential. Currently, the company is seeking financial support from any local businesses that want to help a local arts company and have it associated with their brand. The company want to engage with investors and have a ‘Friends’ scheme and private concert opportunities for future investors.
Each performance is a two-part reimagining of a well-known opera. Part one, the prologue, is a dramatic performance that is supported with songs from a range of different musical styles. It tells the stories of key characters within the narrative before people see the opera. Part two is the opera which is a fast-paced reduction of the full original production. Because you now understand the characters, the opera has a greater emotional impact and meaning.
The taster was an incredible experience. Top opera singers, a perfect soprano, and a brilliant tenor sang less than twenty feet away. When you are that close, you really appreciate the clarity of the voices.
Somehow, Prologue Opera is a format that works – it’s done in a low-key way that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of getting to know the characters and understanding more of their lives, relationships and motivations. At least that’s what I found. It is a great way to learn as you watch. I found that opera works better if I know what it’s about. It pulled me into the scenes. That is the whole idea behind Prologue Opera. They want to pull people deeper into the experience.
Prologue Opera is original in its concept – there’s nothing like it. It’s part theatre and part opera company. The owners want to reach out to the community, involve schools, choirs and the people of Hastings and the local area. It wants to involve the public in their work. You never know, you might love it.
• Anthony Flaum of Prologue Opera can be contacted at [email protected] or 07949 943230.
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