El Paso Opera

The opera entertainers, the orchestra and scenes were marvelous but the content of the Cinderella was so different than what I was expecting to see.

It was a very awesome and funny opera! I took my best friend and we had such wonderful perfect seats right in the middle section of the orchestra section. Just a fantastic play! This is probably my 10th opera I have been too and they are all so amazing!

I had never seen this opera before. The story was a little boring, but the production was well done. The singers were amazing, the staging was engaging and I had a great time.

The two step sisters are the embodiment of selfish vain frivolity but their singing was terrific. The stepfather figure was a comedic and progressive twist on the original and Mr.Albertson does him justice. Miss Lauricella as Cinderella was very self-possessed and her singing was effortless and divine.

Stunning and enjoyable. Can't wait for the next one.

The opera overall was great with fantastic singers and performers. However I thought the set background was rather boring with a post modern retro look, it was the same, just rearranged for each act. The wardrobe was confusing with the roaring 20's look. I thought the play was in Seville Spain, prior to the 20th century, when it was written.

The presentation was great and the participants did a fantastic job in depicting the theme. This was really my second experience in a opera setting and a came away from the experience wanting to continue the exposure... Great Job!!! One negative though... the set was not really the greatest; kind of BLAH! Could have been much better to complete the experience.

"Carmen" is one of my favorite operas and I've seen it performed numerous times. When we learned it would be staged in El Paso, my husband I were thrilled and quickly purchased tickets. Alas, our ability to enjoy the evening was soon tempered by the people seated around us. They continually disrupted the performance by walking in 20+ minutes late (both at the beginning of the opera and after intermission), taking cell phone photos and recordings, talking, singing aloud to the music and exhibiting other rude behaviors like checking Facebook, texting, loudly chewing gum and eating snacks in the theatre. At times, the audience around us was so disruptive that it was difficult to concentrate on the performance. We contemplated leaving during intermission, but the music and staging of this production of "Carmen" were so beautiful that we really wanted to see the rest of the performance. The lead vocalists were stupendous and the updated setting so interesting, that we opted to stay. Alas, the rude behavior of the audience around us stayed as well, and we were, sadly, ready for the final curtain call so we could leave the theatre and the people around us. Earlier that evening, my husband and I had discussed purchasing tickets to an upcoming event, however after our experience with the audience at "Carmen," we changed our minds. I would rather save the purchase price of tickets than risk another rude audience ruining an evening at the theatre. The 2 stars I gave this performance reflect just how negatively the audience impacted this experience. Were this review based solely on the musical performances that evening, it would be much higher.

It was great, I love it ! The music was excellent. Great actors.

My husband and I are big fans of the arts. We were both heavily involved with music from early childhood through college and both played Carmen for marching bands so we were very excited to see this opera. Unfortunately, it didn t live up to the expectations. The singing was great, very impressive however the acting really fell short. We didn t believe any of the chemistry on set at all. But more than anything, the set was utterly horrible. It truly took away from the story and the opera. The set was nothing but four grey walls and four grey benches. I guess they were trying to keep the set simple to focus more on the story but it had the opposite effect. They should ve gone the other way - big, colorful, over-the-top to add to the drama. And I know we weren t the only one to feel this way. We noticed many, many people did not return for the second half. Plus, a bunch of people didn t even stay to applaud at the end. They ran out like some people do at the end of movies. Crazy! All that said, i think we will return in the future - but definitely with a different director and for sure a different set artist.

The singer who played Carmen was very good. As good as she was, the supporting cast of women, two local, were absolutely wonderful with vocals that knocked your socks off and superb acting that evoked real emotion for the audience. They should receive 5 stars! Carmen looked good and had a lovely powerful voice, but I just didn't care much about her. The fellow who played Don Jose was very disappointing especially since I read he's played this character a number of times. To tell the truth, I don't even remember his voice. His acting was so flat, I was really bored for the first two acts. After awhile, I closed my eyes and just listened to the music and singing because it was very pleasant. Thank goodness things seemed to turn around in the last two acts after intermission. The acting and blocking were so much better in the second half, it was like a different show. Music by EPSO was excellent, though not sparking and subtle where it would have made it spectacular. Even so, the live orchestra made it more special and I appreciated it adding a welcomed dimension.

We should have more events like this one in El Paso. Excellent!

Excellent. I especially love the torero and Carmen but everyone excellent. But I did not care for the removal of the Spanish flair. The 1920 dress seemed too americanised. Interesting though.

The set looked like huge chunks of sponge covered in white material and the set did not change for the entire performance; not cool

I really wanted to see the original setting of this opera. I have seen it before, back in 2003 or 2004. It had much more color, more stage production. I was expecting that. I guess I should have read more about this production before I bought my $80 tickets, but it should have been advertised better also. The delivery of the opera singers was phenomenal.

The El Paso Opera did a wonderful job presenting the Carmen troupe! The music, singing, props etc - everything was wonderful. I hadn't attended in a while, and had forgotten how much I like opera in general. Distractions - when will people in El Paso learn that 730p means the program actually starts at 730p? Would it hurt to actually arrive early enough to be in your seats by 730p? Also, people texting or--RECORDING! - need to understand these activities, which are not allowed in movies-- are certainly not appropriate activities for the opera! BRAVO to The EP Opera & the El Paso Symphony for their support of a wonderful activity For El Pasoans to be able to attend!! Please consider attending events brought to El Paso so we can continue to have them!!

The Opera was very enticing and their singing was absolutely powerful. I have been attending operas over 10 years and always looking forward to the next. This time I took a new friend and she as well loved and enjoyed it! We sat on the tier and the view was even better. The seats however need more cushion. Other than that, it was great

Horrible set designs and did not like the change of time frame to the 1920s. Orchestra and singers were great, but the other things ruined it for me.

Performers were all real professionals. Enjoyed every minute. The ochestra and conductor were wonderful. Just a great evening.

Sets were amatuerish, like a high school play. I think the Met sent their third string understudies. Quite disappointing overall. Will make the drive to Santa Fe next time we want opera.

Wonderful opera. Great performances that were delivered very candidly. The story along with the performances will keep you interested throughout the entire production. The orchestra performed beautifully with precision.

We enjoyed the evening, especially Raul Melo but the orchestra wasn't up to the level of the performers.

First time for me at the El Paso Opera. If this is emblematic of its quality, a return may be a long time coming. La Tosca is among my favorite operas, so I'm willing to accept a good bit of variability in the quality of the performance, just for the experience. But many of both principal and minor roles in this version were lackluster or awkward. In advance of my comments, however, I have to say that this was my first time at the Abraham Chavex Theatre. Although I was in the 8th row, orchestra, I found the acoustics lacked vibrancy, and it's possible that the technical design may have prevented a better sound quality from the performers. At any rate, I found the soprano and tenor singing to be thin in parts, but adequate in others--uneven overall. The soprano's acting, for this role, was hesitant and often uncoordinated--not at all communicative of the dark, passionate and even violent character that are the main elements of La Tosca. The many scarves, shawls and loose apparel that comprised the soprano's costumes may have interfered in her movements. But these at least were an improvement from the absurdly comical get-up she was wearing in the first act. The tenor's arias were similarly uneven, with nearly inaudible phrases intermixed with completely acceptable, and welcome, sections. The duos between the soprano and tenor were largely mechanical, each OK by itself, but no feeling of integration between the two. This echoed the overall lack of "chemistry" between the two roles. At the other end of the spectrum was the singing and peformance of Scarpia. A wonderfully powerful baritone voice, with all the vocal and performance menace this role requires. Moreover, the physical parts of his performance, unlike those of the soprano, were delivered with gusto and coordination. The Scarpia performer was the only one of the three principals who actually deserved the standing ovation at the end of the opera. The minor roles in this opera, which often serve as stepping stones for junior performers, displayed no standout moments. The performances by the sacristan and Scarpia's primary assistant seemed almost apologetic, as though the performers were anxious simply to do their parts and get off stage. The orchestra was, mostly, adequate, with no standouts. The strings got off-key during the opening, beautiful pre-sunrise aria in the third act. This was most unfortunate, because the audience's attention should be riveted on this incredibly harmonious blend between melody and lyrics, and not on trying to ignore off-key notes. It's too bad that this opera could not have reached its potential here. El Paso deserved better.

The magnificent presentation by professional singers, perfect fitting and design stage, and simultaneous translation of the dialogues to English and Spanish, made this show a good sample of what El Paso Opera organization is capable to do.