By Manal Abdel Fattah
Dr. Nevin Al-Kilani, Minister of Culture, and Ambassador Eric Chevalier, French Ambassador to Egypt, witnessed the performance of “Carmen,” in the presence of Dr. Lamia Zayed, President of the Cairo Opera House, and a delegation of diplomats working at the embassy and the French Cultural Center in Cairo. During the performance, the French mezzo-soprano “Marie” performed. “Caral” – which the opera is hosting for the first time – plays the role of “Carmen”.
Dr. Nevin Al-Kilani, Minister of Culture, confirmed that creativity in its various forms is one of the effective means of consolidating relations between peoples. The Minister of Culture said: “The participation of the French mezzo-soprano Marie Carral in the performance of the Opera Carmen comes within the plans for cultural and artistic exchange between the two countries.”
Ambassador Eric Chevalier, the French Ambassador to Cairo, expressed his happiness with the cooperation between the French Embassy in Cairo – represented by the French Cultural Center – and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture – represented by the Opera House – adding that “Opera Carmen” is the first event he has witnessed at the opera, which is being presented. In line with the celebrations of International Women’s Day and the Year of Francophonie.
Dr. Lamia Zayed, President of the Opera House, said: “Carmen’s performance is considered one of the most prominent landmarks in the history of serious arts,” and she added that its reproduction after an absence of 15 years aims to present the most important icons of creativity to the Egyptian public and the resident communities.
It is noteworthy that the performance of “Carmen Opera” was led by Maestro Nader Abbasi – artistic supervisor of the opera’s artistic troupes and the main conductor of the Egyptian Opera House – and directed by Hazem Tayel, and performed by the Cairo Opera Troupe and its artistic director, Dr. Dalia Farouk, with the participation of the Cairo Opera Orchestra and the Opera Ballet Troupe. Cairo, with the Cairo Opera Choir, decoration design, Mohamed Abdel Razek, lighting, Yasser Shaalan, and choir coach, Mina Hanna, choreography, Armenia Kamel, and it will be re-presented on: “Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday 18, 19, 21, 22.” April” on the Grand Theater of the Cairo Opera House.
