| In honor of the 150th anniversary of Carmen, Florida Grand Opera’s production will be directed by general director and CEO Maria Todaro. An accomplished stage director and celebrated opera leader, Todaro brings a powerful new vision to Bizet’s timeless masterpiece. Deeply influenced by Todaro’s personal connection to Carmen, her staging explores themes of power, rebellion and the fight for freedom.
Carmen and her female companions are not just fighting for their own emancipation — they are warriors in a larger struggle to reclaim their country’s soul. Through the lens of the Spanish Civil War, Todaro’s vision draws powerful parallels between Carmen’s defiance and the resilience of women.
“When Carmen talks about her freedom, it’s not just about her body,” Todaro says. “Without changing a word of the text and being very respectful to the score, we are deepening the motivations of the characters by presenting them in this context.” |
