South Africa punches well above its weight when it comes to opera. Our singers grace the world’s most prestigious stages – from the Royal Opera House in London to La Scala in Milan – and yet, somehow, I had never made it to an opera in my own city. That changed this May when Cape Town Opera brought Bizet’s Carmen to the Artscape Opera House, and it was a truly memorable evening.
What to Expect If You’ve Never Been to Carmen – or Any Opera
Walking in, I genuinely didn’t know what to expect. Three-plus hours? In French? I’ll confess I was mildly apprehensive. What unfolded, however, was nothing short of amazing. From the very first act, I was pulled into a world of passion, jealousy, and fate set in the sun-drenched streets of 1930s Seville.
You Already Know Carmen’s Music – You Just Don’t Know It Yet
The biggest surprise? I knew some of the music. The smouldering Habanera and iconic Toreador Song – melodies I’d heard before in films, adverts, even as the theme song for Formula 1 broadcasts globally (which my husband was equally surprised to recognise). I had no idea these came from Carmen.
A Cast That Will Stop You in Your Tracks
The cast was simply jaw-dropping. While I don’t know much about opera, I do understand talent and experiencing the cast singing live and the range they reach was astounding.
Cape Town Opera House Soloist Nonhlanhla Yende commands the stage with a magnetic presence, her rich mezzo-soprano voice filling the theatre. Tenor Lukhanyo Moyake as the tormented Don José and the luminous Vuvu Mpofu as Micaëla were equally spellbinding.
The Cape Town Opera Children’s Chorus also form a significant and joyful part of the story. Their voices are pure, bright, and utterly unselfconscious, and they completely hold their own on that grand stage.
All these incredible voices, backed by the full Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, made for a truly special experience.
Don’t Worry About the French – the Artscape Has You Covered
For fellow first-timers worried about the language barrier, the Artscape thoughtfully displays translations on an electric board above the stage, so you’re never lost in the story.
Carmen: A 19th-Century Woman With a Very Modern Story
Carmen was written in 1875 – a story penned over 150 years ago that still stops a full house dead in its tracks. In fact, Carmen’s character feels more relevant today than ever. She’s a fiery, unapologetic woman who refuses to be owned, who lives entirely on her own terms – and who, tragically, pays the ultimate price for it. In a world still navigating very real conversations around control, obsession, and women’s autonomy, Carmen isn’t just a 19th-century opera character. She’s a woman of the modern world, and her story carries weight.
Why Stories Like Carmen Still Matter in a Screen-Saturated World
In a world drowning in screen fatigue and endless scrolling, there is something profoundly special about looking up, putting your phone away, and being completely captivated by three-plus hours of pure, living artistic talent.
It’s always heartening to see the arts so well supported, and evenings like this serve as a reminder that some things truly do stand the test of time.
