Fierce & Free: MSFO & Voice Program bring ‘Carmen’ to life

by Haldan Kirsch on August 7, 2018 2.65K views

Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, performs as the titular character in "Carmen" on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in the Amphitheater. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Shelén Hughes performs as Micaëla in the Chautauqua Voice Program production of "Carmen" on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 in the Amp. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Matthew Pearce, Tenor, as Don Josè with Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, as the titular character in "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Artistic & Music Director Timothy Muffitt conducts the Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra during the Chautauqua Voice Program's production of "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the Chautauqua Voice Program perform "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the Chautauqua Voice Program perform "Carmen" with music provided by the Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, performs as the titular character in "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, performs as the titular character in "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, performs as the titular character in "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Matthew Pearce, Tenor, as Don Josè in the Chautauqua Voice Program production of "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the Chautauqua Voice Program perform "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Members of the Chautauqua Voice Program perform "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Matthew Pearce, Tenor, and Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, performs as the titular character in "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, as Carmen is stabbed by Matthew Pearce, Tenor, as Don Josè in the climactic moment of the Chautauqua Voice Program's production of "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Matthew Pearce, Tenor, and Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, performs as the titular character in "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, as Carmen and Tyler Zimmerman, Bass-Baritone, as Toreador in the Chautauqua Voice Program's production of "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amanda Bottoms, Mezzo-Soprano, performs as the titular character in "Carmen." HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

On Monday, Aug. 6, a collaboration between the Music School Festival Orchestra and Chautauqua Voice Program bring George Bizet’s Carmen to life. The opera consisted of students from the Chautauqua Voice Program taking on the main roles with the Music School Festival Orchestra providing live orchestral music.

The author Haldan Kirsch

Haldan Kirsch is a staff photographer from Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania. He is currently earning a master’s degree in photography from Ohio University and plans to graduate in May 2019. Haldan also loves to travel. He lived in Rome for two and a half years and has visited 14 different countries.