"Carmen"

Georges Bizet – Opera in four acts.
In French with dialog in German


Opening 4 July 2008 on the Alten Garten Square.

Conductor: General Music Director Matthias Foremny
Stage Director (Producer): Frank Bernd Gottschalk
Scenery: Lutz Kreisel
Costumes: Katharina Popanda
Chorus Master: Ulrich Barthel
Choreographie: Andreas Paesler

As the crowning conclusion to its current season, the Mecklenburg State Theater will present in Summer 2008 one of the most famous operas ever: Georges Bizet's "Carmen". In front of Schwerin's fairy-tale castle the mood will be carried by the wind over the surrounding area. Those who have experienced this know: the heart of this Ducal Residence City is a place for strong feelings.

Opera under the stars at one of the most beautiful locations in all of northern Germany has become the trademark of SCHWERIN'S CASTLE FESTIVAL. Fifteen years ago what began as an insider's secret among opera-lovers has become an internationally renowned opera festival. Barely two hours northwest of Berlin and only an hour away from Hamburg or Rostock, in the middle of that triangle, SCHWERIN'S CASTLE FESTIVAL summer performances by the Mecklenburg State Theater give audience a breath-taking experience.

After five Verdi operas, in 2008, for the first time in the CASTLE FESTIVAL history, a work by French composer will be performed. Georges Bizet's "Carmen" is an opera of passion, love and jealousy.

The plot:
Don Jose, a soldier from the north of Spain, is now a sergeant stationed in Seville. Micaela, a young woman from his home town, visits him. A future life together seems clear to both, but suddenly the Gypsy Carmen bursts into his life; she throws a follower at his face, awaking his suppressed desire. Minutes later, there is a great commotion: Carmen has slashed the face of another woman working in the tobacco factory. Jose is assigned the task of taking her jail, but he is not able to resist her cunningly seductive ways. He lets her escape – and thus lands in jail in her place. So begins a fatal drama of passion that ends in murder and self-destruction and becomes, perhaps, the last great myth in operatic literature.

Performances:
Opening Night: 4 July 2008
Further performances: 5 July – 10 August 2008, Thursday through Sundays
Tickets went on sale on 9 October 2007
Box office telephone: +49-385-5300-123
E-Mail: kasse@theater-schwerin.de

How to order tickets:
For SCHWERIN'S CASTLE FESTIVAL 2008, you can order tickets from the daytime box office (including by phone) and at some tickets agencies, as well as on the Internet by e-mail or direct-booking by credit card. Ticket agencies may charge a 10% commission.

When they show their tickets, CASTLE FESTIVAL ticket holders receive reduced admission prices for the Galerie Schwerin and the State Art Museum.

CASTLE FESTIVAL ticket prices:

CASTLE FESTIVAL ticket prices Location category Day of week Basic Price Early-bird Price * Reduced Price** Prime Fri./Sat. 69.00 € 64.00 € 59.00 € Prime Thurs./Sun. 64.00 € 59.00 € 54.00 € Other Fri./Sat. 59.00 € 54.00 € 51.00 € Other Thurs./Sun. 54.00 € 49.00 € 46.00 €

* Early-Bird prices apply as follows:
For Friday performances: Book until March 29, 2008
For all other performances: Book until December 31, 2007
** Reduced-price tickets are available for pupils, students, people learning a trade, service members, conscientious objectors performing alternative public service, unemployed persons, pensioners, and people with extreme disabilities.
In each of these cases, an ID card verifying this status is required. Thus, these tickets can only be bought at the official booking offices, and not on the Internet.

Policy on CANCELLATION or TERMINATION of a performance:
The Mecklenburg State Theater will make every effort to start and complete a performance in Schwerin's Castle Festival even when the weather is questionable. "Rain or shine, the show will go on" is our policy, though it may be delayed or interrupted when it rains. We therefore suggest audience wear warm, rainproof clothing, but not bring umbrellas, as they would block the view of those seated behind. The decision about whether a performance will take place is basically not made before 9 in the evening on the day of the performance. If a performance is terminated (i.e. because of extremely bad weather before 60 minutes of the performance have elapsed, the price of the ticket will be refunded by bank-transfer only. This will be made after the audience member has filled out a form provided by the ushers when the performance is cancelled. Cash-refund will not be made. Ticket-agent commissions will not be refunded. As with open-air performances generally, if a performance is cancelled after 60 minutes have been performed, no refund of ticket prices will be made nor will a free ticket to another performance be provided, as the performance will be considered to have taken place.

English translation: Prof. Dr. Winfield Hutton