Opera ‘Carmen’ to be screened at Megabox

Opera fans here will be able to enjoy a world-class performance on the big screen with top-notch sound system at cinemas this month.

Starting Saturday, Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” originally performed at the Vienna State Opera, will be screened at Megabox theaters in COEX, Central City, Daejeon, Bundang and Yeongtong in Gyeonggi Province.

“Carmen,” a tragic love story between young and sexy temptress Carmen and hot-blooded cadet Don Jose, was chosen as the “most want-to-see opera” in a Korea National Opera survey last year.

“Even people who are not familiar with opera can recognize ‘Carmen’ because of some familiar arias such as ‘Havanera,’ ‘Toreador’s Song’ and others, not to mention the Spanish dance and other spectacular scenes,” Kevin & Company, the film’s importer, said in a press release.

The opera filmed in 2010 was directed by master film director Franco Zeffirelli, who also directed “Romeo and Juliet.” The orchestra of Wiener Staatsoper was led by rising star Andris Nelsons. The star cast includes Nadia Krasteva as Carmen, Massimo Giordano as Don Jose and Anna Netrebko as Micaela, while Korean baritone Yang Tae-joong appears as Dancairo.

The screening was planned after Kevin & Company spotted a market opportunity among opera fans who watched world-class operas or music festivals on DVD or TV.

“We screened the Salzburg Festival held in Austria live in July at local cinemas and received a good response. There are people who want to see good-quality performances,” said the company spokeswoman.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)