David McVicar's naturalistic production of Carmen has returned twice to Glyndebourne since its original staging in 2002 – and this revival directed by Marie Lambert is both passionate and finely drawn.
Insouciant and seductive, Stephanie d'Oustrac's as Carmen is immediately compelling – who could fail to fall in love with a woman who can so nonchalantly light a cigarette while performing such a beautiful Habanera?
A brave soul dedicated to passion and truth, it is not entirely credible that such a firefly would fall for the mother-bound and emotionally conflicted Don Jose, but once she does, the ties that bind them quickly turn to highly convincing and unworkable knots.
Pavel Cernoch's Jose is indeed painfully played, the final plea for Carmen's love excruciating in its intensity and hopelessness.
David Soar as Escamillo makes for a worthy love rival too, providing a longed-for shot of earthy passion.
Sue Blane's costumes are resplendent, but the sets are a touch staid and at times too tight – cramping the cast into a jumble rather than creating a perhaps intended sense of claustrophobia.
A big shout out to the London Philharmonic Orchestra as well, who tucked away in the pit, deliver a measured, sleek performance to colour every shade.
Four stars
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