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A SMOKE-FREE CARMEN
The Yiddish word meaning “to smoke” is “reykhern” and “der roykh”
means “smoke.”
Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe
Syosset, New York
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Two quotes about smoking:
The West Australian Opera company dropped “Carmen” from its schedule because the opera depicts smoking. The title character works in a “ cigarette (“papiros”) factory. The Aussie prime minister, Tony Abbot, described the company's move as political correctness gone crazy.” (“meshuge”).
The company's general manager said, “We are about the health and well-being of our staff, stage performers, and all the opera lovers throughout [western] Australia, which means promoting health messages and not portraying any activities that could be seen to promote unhealthy behavior.”
We all know that operas are full of betrayal, rape, insanity and murder.
Doesn't Don Jose stab Carmen to death?
John Borstlap [Slippeddisc.com] wrote, “It is unfortunate that opera houses all over the world (“di velt”) promote inappropriate role models and behavioral messages regarding gender relations, animal rights issues, and tobacco (“tabak”) consumption. But given the current fashion of ‘Regietheater,' a smoke0free Carmen is perfectly possible and fully in line with modern approaches to works of the past.”
Denis Dutton has proposed some alterations which would render this beautiful work acceptable to postmodern audiences. Here is the Yiddish version.
The “ershter” (first) scene takes place in a square in Seville. Young “fabrik” (factory) workers spill into “di gas” (the street) for their morning break of fresh “frukht” (fruit). One of them, the dark Gypsy, sings a lovely habanera, reminding us that “libe” (love) occurs between all genders, races, and “guf” (body) types. Before returning to the factory, Carmen throws a “royz” (rose) to the Basque “soldat” (soldier), Don Jose. A fight breaks out between two of the “yung” (young) persons in the factory, and while trying to “lernen” (instruct) them on the futility of violence, Carmen is arrested. Don Jose is ordered to “hitn” (guard) her, but she convinces him to allow her to “antloyfn” (escape), explaining that they are all victims of patriarchal oppression.
The “tsveyter” (second) act opens in the smoke-free environment of a vegetarian “restoran” (restaurant). Carmen and ethnically-diverse “khaverim” (friends) are enjoying whole-meal buns and spring “vaser” (water) when they are interrrupted by the “beyz” (wicked) Escamillo, a “raykh” (rich) and famous bullfighter. Escamillo begins to sing (“zingen”) an aria in praise of “vayn” (wine), cigars, thick steaks, and women. This disgusts the “yung” people, although Carmen is strangely attracted to the bullfighter. Don Jose arrives and “aleyn” (alone), at last, he and Carmen vow to live “tsuzamen” (together). They will “derekh-erets” (respect) the importance of protected sex and acknowledge each other's unique cultural identity. Don Jose will do the ironing. (Note: The Yiddish word meaning “to iron/press” is “presayzn.”)
The “driter” (third) act opens in a “vild” (wild) place in the mountains.
Carmen, Don Jose and other members of the “khaye” (Animal)
Liberation Collective are plotting to end the exploitation of bulls. Don
Jose is “broygez” (angry/enraged) when Carmen nobly volunteers to
“farfirn” (seduce) so exhausting himself (“zikh”), that he is unable
effectively to fight in the bullring. Carmen patiently explains that the lives
of the “fil” (many) bulls, and the contendness of cows, is at stake.
Escamillo enters and begins a duel with Don Juan, but the Collective
intervenes, insisting that the two men find viable nonviolent means to
settle their dispute. The “eyferzikhtik” (jealous) Don Jose must seek
anger-management counseling.
The “letst” (final) scene returns to Seville. Escamillo's colorful procession
enters the bullring. A disheveled Don Jose confronts Carmen. He is
suffering from low self-esteem. Counseling has only made his anger
“erger” (worse), recovering repressed “kindhayt” (childhood) memories of
Satanic rituals, where he was forced to drink “blut” (blood), eat babies,
and smoke “bilik” (cheap), unfiltered cigarettes. Acknowledging his trauma,
Carmen insists he begin the “heyln” (healing) process by getting a “vaneh”
(bath) and a shave. The two lovers embrace and sing a lovely aria,
detailing plans to offer workshops in cultural identity and empowerment.
The bull wins.”
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Carmen is one of the most popular and best-known operatic arias.
It was written by Georges Bizet, and was his only hit opera. The
Toreador's song, “Votra Toast” from Act 2 has become one of the most
well-known arias. The music of Carmen has been widely acclaimed for its
brilliance of melody harmony, atmosphere and orchestration.
By the beginning of 2011, the Met alone has performed Carmen almost a “toyznt” (thousand) times.
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