CARMEN Comes to Life With Backstage Photo Shoot

Walking down Eureka Street, as the time approached for the Carmen photo shoot to begin, I was curiously perplexed as to how an entire photo shoot was going to take place in the scenery-filled backstage area of the Central City Opera House. Among the sets of five productions, in the center, was a vibrant red staircase and set piece that was unmistakably Carmen.

With a few last-minute adjustments to lights and cameras, the singers were quickly being called to the set. In vivid makeup and astounding costumes, the singers demanded presence as they stepped out of the dressing rooms. As the professional photographer and I snapped photos of the singers running through different excerpts from the production, you could see a little shimmer in the onlookers' eyes, silently but assuredly acknowledging that Carmen is becoming a reality.

Kirstin Chávez as Carmen

Kirstin Chavéz with Gustavo Ahualli (Escamillo)

Elizabeth Caballero as Micaëla

Sarah Tallman and Jesse Marks, solo dancers

Kirsten Chávez with Jon Burton (Don José)

Carmen, by Georges Bizet, opens June 25 at Central City Opera with a fresh new look through the eyes of Director Daniel Pelzig, who choreographed the Central City Opera production of West Side Story in 2008. This electrifying story of love, jealousy and murder follows the turbulent romance between Carmen and Don José.

Don’t miss a new look at this timeless opera. Purchase tickets online or call (303) 292-6700.

View Carmen publicity photos by photographer Kira Horvath.