Carmen (Part 1), performed by Opera Novella (acts 1 & 2)

Описание: Carmen 2026: an epitaph to Janet Phillips in words and film:

One year ago Janet Phillips, founder and director of - and driving force behind - the small but dynamic opera group “Opera Novella”, decided that she would revisit Carmen one more time.

Carmen had been her North Star: she had played the role three times and directed the opera twice: I think she saw Carmen the woman as her archetype and sourced much drive and energy from her engagement with Carmen’s character.

This latest involvement began early in 2025 and by February 26th - one year to the day before this latest production hit the boards - the scene was set. Carmen was on.

Then, on 14 June 2025, she died.

Many kind words were said, many tributes paid. Janet’s friends and colleagues in the company performed - superbly - several songs of great beauty and feeling at her funeral, turning it into something more akin to a celebration, melancholy yet utterly heartfelt. And then it was over.

Except it wasn’t. Within weeks the group had coalesced around that old rallying cry: “The Show Must Go On”. And so it did. Under the auspices of her husband Russ Phillips, they began the hard work of making something beautiful and enduring to mark my mother’s lifework.

In this performance - and the video recording presented herewith - I think they have spectacularly succeeded.

Act 1
00:00 Overture & Opening Credits
16:50 Habanera
23:00 "Parle-moi de ma mère" (Tell Me of My Mother)
39:00 “Près des remparts de Séville” (Seguidilla)
Act 2
55:06 The Toreador Song
01:03:24 "Nous avons en tête une affaire" (Quintet)
1:10:12 "Je veux danser en ton honneur" (I Want to Dance in Your Honour)