News

Olga Borodina stars in the title role opposite Marcelo Álvarez as Don José, conducted by Emmanuel Villaume

May 8, 2007

New York, NY (May 8, 2007) – Bizet’s Carmen with Russian mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina in the title role will be revived during the Met’s 2007-08 season, replacing the previously announced performances of Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann. The change in repertory is due to the decision by Argentine tenor Marcelo Álvarez to retire the title role of Hoffmann from his repertory. Mr. Álvarez will instead make his Met role debut singing Don José in Carmen opposite Ms. Borodina. Nancy Fabiola Herrera will sing the title role in one performance. Krassimira Stoyanova sings the role of Micaëla at the Met for the first time. Emmanuel Villaume conducts all eight performances from February 4 to March 1, 2008.

“We want to ensure that the world’s greatest singers are performing at the Met in roles that suit them best,” said General Manager Peter Gelb. “While this change affects previously announced plans, we are delighted that Met audiences will get to hear Marcelo Álvarez sing Don José for the first time and that Olga Borodina will perform one of her signature roles.”

Olga Borodina has previously sung Carmen at the Met during the 2000-01 and 2004-05 seasons, earning praise for setting new musical standards and bringing an earthy toughness to the role. The Met’s current season featured Ms. Borodina in the roles of Laura in La Gioconda and Princess Eboli in Don Carlo. After most recently performing the role in Toulouse, Marcelo Álvarez brings his acclaimed interpretation of Don José to the Met for the first time. He received critical raves as Des Grieux opposite Renée Fleming as Manon in Massenet’s Manon at the Met in 2005. Ms. Stoyanova, who sang Nedda in Pagliacci and Violetta in La Traviata with the company this season, makes her Met role debut as Micaëla. Complete casting will be announced soon.

The Met’s Carmen production is by Franco Zeffirelli, with sets designed by Mr. Zeffirelli, costumes designed by Anna Anni, lighting by Duane Schuler, and choreography by Maria Benitez. It premiered in 1996, and is a gift of The Annenberg Foundation. Carmen was last in the Met repertory in the 2005-06 season.

Carmen performances are scheduled as follows: February 4, 8, 13, 16, 19, 23, 27, and March 1. Met subscribers may exchange their Carmen tickets for another opera by calling 212-362-6000.