Carmen On Tap brings the excellence, virtuosity and power of opera to you. Georges Bizet’s famous score will delight and tantalize as you enjoy a sumptuous dinner or brunch, with the possibilities of Spanish-themed cuisine from menus specially prepared by the restaurant’s senior chef, Frank Hubert, for these presentations. All dramatic walls are banished. There is no stage. Carmen On Tap is all about you and the cast who deliciously blur the line between opera and real life. Carmen On Tap brings you a superb first-hand experience to combine grand opera and fine dining in the elegant Church Restaurant setting. Three unique experiences to choose: evening opera dinner (August 8, 9) or afternoon opera brunch (August 10).
Set in Seville around the year 1830, the opera deals with the love and jealousy of Don José, who is lured away from his duty as a soldier and his beloved Micaëla by the gypsy factory-girl Carmen, whom he allows to escape from custody. He is later induced to join the smugglers with whom Carmen is associated, but is driven wild by jealousy. This comes to a head when Carmen makes clear her preference for the bull-fighter Escamillo. The last act, outside the bull-ring in Seville, brings Escamillo to the arena; he is accompanied by Carmen who now must finally face Don José in the opera’s dramatic climax.
Carmen, the most famous of Bizet’s operas with its exotic Spanish setting, includes such well-known songs as Carmen’s seductive Habanera and Seguidilla; the famous Toreador’s Song; Don José’s reference to the flower Carmen had once thrown to him, La fleur que tu m’avais jetée (The flower that you threw to me); and Micaëla’s moving aria, Je dis que rien ne m’épouvante (I say that nothing frightens me).
Stratford Summer Music is working together with The Church Restaurant to offer our patrons a concert and brunch/dinner package at $110. This includes the opera and a 3 course brunch/dinner, but does not include beverages, HST and gratuities. Please arrive at the Church Restaurant at 6:30 pm for Dinner Opera and 11:30 am for Brunch Opera. This package is only available by calling the Stratford Summer Music office at 519.271.2101. You will only be charged for the concert portion when you book your tickets. Billing for the restaurant portion will be presented the night of the performance.
