UNM Department of Music Students, Faculty & Alumni sweep cast of Opera Southwest Production of Carmen in Spanish
Current students, faculty and alumni of The Department of Music at UNM have filled the cast of the upcoming Opera Southwest production of Carmen, one of the most famous operas of all time. The performance will be presented in Spanish, referencing a translation by Eduardo de Bray which originated in 1904 from a Barcelona zarzuela company. Guests can enjoy performances at The National Hispanic Cultural Center and at the Albuquerque Journal Theatre between May 4 – 12, 2024.
Carmen, created by French composer Georges Bizet originally premiered on March 3, 1875. In the sultry heat of Seville, Carmen bewitches all who cross her path – even Corporal Don José. He soon falls under her beguiling spell, abandoning his life in the military. A fiery love triangle ignites as the famed bullfighter Escamillo vies for Carmen’s affections. Micaëla, Don José’s childhood sweetheart, strives to win him back, but destiny’s die is cast.
Be swept away this spring at Opera Southwest by Carmen’s irresistible allure, Don José’s smoldering obsession, and the explosive clash of desire and destiny.
CAST
Carmen / Olga Perez Flora (May 4, 11) UNM Dept. of Music Assistant Professor of Voice and Head of Voice, Eliza Bonet (May 5, 8, 10, 12),
Don Jose / James Flora (May 4, 11) UNM Dept. of Music Lecturer in Voice & Opera, Isaac Hurtado (May 5, 8, 10, 12),
Escamillo / Octavio Moreno
Micaela / Cecilia Violetta Lopez
Dancairo / Javier Ortiz, UNM Alumnus 2011, BM Vocal Performance
Remendado / Angel Vargas
Zuniga / Santiago Meza
Morales / Michael Hix, Department Chair of UNM Dept. of Music & Associate Professor of Voice
Mercedes / Denise Wernly
Frasquita / Ingela Onstad, UNM Alumna 2014, BM Vocal Performance
Chorus:
Amanda Porter, current UNM CFA student 2025
Nadine Adisho, current UNM CFA student 2025
Joseph Harb, current UNM CFA student 2024
Lore Hazard, UNM Alumnus 2023, MM
Jenni Hipolito, UNM Alumna 2011, BM Vocal Performance
Ashley Saenz, UNM Alumna 2011, BM Vocal Performance
Theresa Sanderson, UNM Alumna 2011, BM Vocal Performance
For tickets and more information, please visit: https://www.operasouthwest.org/operas/carmen
Regional Premiere of Somewhere – a new heartfelt and poignant play
Juli Hendren thinks about the future a lot. Specifically, how we move forward and through catastrophe. Her answer – make work about it. Her current directorial challenge, Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days, is a contemporary piece that examines intimate, human...
Exploring Art: Marisa Demarco, Szu-Han Ho, and Raven Chacon’s “Tiguex”
Marisa Demarco and Szu-Han Ho bring sound, performance, and installation into conversation with memory, place, and collaboration. Their works span immersive choral pieces, site-specific soundscapes, and experimental compositions that challenge how we listen and connect.
UNM Artists Take the Spotlight in Southwest Contemporary Vol. 12: Obsession
Southwest Contemporary Vol. 12: Obsession features some incredible work from several of the amazing people who comprise the Art Department. Current second-year MFA students Luka Berkley and Justine Kablack, recent MFA graduate Taylor Engel, and instructor Jessamyn Lovell all have work featured in this most recent issue of Southwest Contemporary.