In French opera 'Carmen', action moves to Delhi

It could be a usual bazaar scene in India—the colourful clothes and ware on display, the crowded alleys and the loitering policemen. Only, this is a scene from the French opera 'Carmen,' being staged in India for the first time. Director Patricia Panton has moved the action from Seville, Spain, 1830, to Delhi today to cater to an Indian palate. "The cultural change will render the plot more suited to an Indian audience, highlighting, at the same time, elements which unite these different cultures," she said.

In keeping with the setting of the opera, the crew also comprises musicians and performers from India, Sri Lanka and France. The 'cross cultural' experiment seems to have paid off, and Delhiites are privy to a musical extravaganza of the world's most popular opera, which was staged in Paris for the first time in 1875. The story revolves around the beautiful and reckless Carmen, whose volatile life is ended by a rejected lover.

Elsa Levy, who plays the role of Carmen, dressed in a ghagra-choli and bindi, says "I'm very happy to be among the first opera singers to come to India, where you have great singers and artistes. You don't need me among them." On the adaptation of Carmen for an Indian audience, she adds, "It was easy for me to adapt because the Indian choreography in the opera is not far from Flamenco. Also, the initial music is Indian but the rest is the Georges Bizet music from the original opera."

Echoing this view, Panton, says, "It's a mirror between Indian and Spanish cultures. There's a vitality of colour—Spanish Rom/Dom gypsies cavorting with Kathak dancers, children playing Holi and a distant echo of the flamenco. Also, the character Escamillo, who is an acclaimed bull-fighter in the original story of the opera, has become a famous Bollywood actor.

About performing in Delhi, Levy says she would love to come back here as "the people of Delhi are down to earth, nice and warm."

Around 60 Indian and Sri Lankan singers, seven dancers and 20 French artistes, including an orchestra from Paris and the lead performers, have come together for the Indian premiere being held in Delhi on April 18, 19 and 20. The Neemrana Music Foundation is supporting the event.