CARMEN – BIZET
Presented on Dec 8, 10, 12m at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin as part of the Dublin Grand Opera Society’s Winter Season
Constance Shacklock / Gita Denise[Dec 12] – Carmen
Frans Vroons – Don José
Dolores Burke – Micaëla
Bruce Dargaval – Escamillo
Josephine O’Hagan – Frasquita
Patricia Lawlor – Mercédès
Sam Mooney – Dancaïre
Joseph Flood – Remendado
Leslie Pearson – Zuniga
Brendan Cavanagh – Moralès
Lt-Col J M Doyle – Conductor
Powell Lloyd – Producer
The more experienced Constance Shacklock was back that season to sing an impassioned “Carmen” partnered by Franz Vroons as Don Jose. ‘Miss Shacklock has added to her portrayal,’ commented J J Finegan, several touches since we last saw her, touches that further emphasise the earthiness – call it vulgarity, if you like – of the fascinating gypsy. She clawed, she violently threw things about. Then in the last act, in the face of death, the actress splendidly brought out the courage of Carmen.’
(Extracted from “Love and Music: The Glorious History of the Dublin Grand Opera Society” by Gus Smith, 1998)
Opera in Ireland 