WEST PALM BEACH, Florida., January 27, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Palm Beach Opera’s vibrant and lavish production of “Carmen,” one of the world’s most popular operas, will be PBO’s first performance at the Kravis Center since the pandemic shut down arts organizations nationwide from 2020.

Committed both to its mission of providing live opera and to the safety of performers, audiences and staff, palm beach Opera has implemented rigorous testing, masking and mitigation strategies for staff and performers, based on consultation with the company’s medical adviser, union recommendations and evolving industry best practices. In order to maximize comfort and safety during performances, palm beach Opera also adheres to the various protocols put in place by the Kravis Center, which include requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test result to enter and mandatory masking.

“As we continue to mark our 60th anniversary at this unique time, we are thrilled to return to the indoor stage with Bizet’s timeless ‘Carmen’, and we have never been prouder of the strength, resilience and PBO’s unwavering commitment to living the art,” said General and Artistic Director David Walker. “This time last year, in response to the pandemic, PBO pivoted to an outdoor opera festival, becoming the first company in the country to present a large-scale live opera event since COVID- 19 forced arts organizations across the country to shut down. And now, in our historic 2022 season, we’re back at the Kravis Center, where we’ve presented acclaimed artists, iconic operas and compelling productions for 30 years.”

Distinguished Conductor Antonello Germani, who was last seen on PBO as the conductor of “La traviata” in 2019, will return to conduct the orchestra. Director Garnett Bruce, who led production on PBO’s “Carmen” in 2004, is also returning to direct the cast. Award-winning mezzo-sopranos J’Nai Bridges, who recently made their Metropolitan Opera debut as Nefertiti in “Akhnaton,” and former Metropolitan Opera Young Artist Lindemann Rihab Chaieb (January 29), who debuted as Carmen in 2019 at germany Critically acclaimed Oper Köln.

Jonathan Burton, hailed for its “thrilling power and beauty” by the Baltimore Sun and last seen at the PBO as Rodolfo in the 2005 production of “La bohème” will share the role of Don José with Dominique Chenes (January 29), who sang the same role at PBO in a 2016 production. zachary nelson, last seen at the PBO as Ping in the 2020 production of “Turandot,” will sing the role of Escamillo.

LA Opera Frequent Artist Amanda Woodbury will perform as Micaëla and American baritone Timothy Renner will mark his PBO debut as Moralès. PBO Benenson Young Artists Christopher Humbert, Jr. Avery Boettcher, and Megan Callahan — all seen most recently in the company’s sold-out December performance of “Dido and Aeneas” — will perform as Zuniga, Frasquita and Mercédès, respectively.

For some artists, in addition to marking the debut of a business, it will be the first time they have performed on an indoor stage in years due to the pandemic. “It’s been two years since I sang in an opera,” Bridges said in a recorded video message. “I couldn’t be happier for this moment.”

“Carmen” will be sung in French with English surtitles projected above the stage. Single tickets start at $25 and are available at pbopera.org or the Kravis Center. Subscriptions are also available for purchase at pbopera.org. From December 14, all guests over the age of two are required to wear face masks inside the Kravis Center and all guests over the age of 12 are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within the last 72 time. For more information, visit pbopera.org and pbopera.org/faq or call the box office at 561-833-7888.

palm beach Opera is dedicated to producing live opera at an international level of excellence, enriching the lives of the communities it serves with a diverse offering of educational programs, and nurturing the next generation of stars of the opera. Founded in 1961, the fully professional company palm beach Opera presents performances on the main stage at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West palm beach and is a proud member of OPERA America and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

Media Contact

Adina Antonucci, palm beach Opera, 5618357575, [email protected]

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