All of North Texas is preparing for the arrival of the FIFA World Cup. Restaurants are offering watch parties, people are offering their homes as short-term rentals, and a theater in Arlington is putting a soccer spin on an operatic classic.
Opera Arlington’s production of Bizet’s Carmen sets the story on 1920s Spain, “during the euphoric aftermath of the Spanish national soccer team’s historic Olympic medal victory,” according to NBC DFW.
Eliza Escalante, Opera Arlington’s General Director and director of this production, says that opera and soccer have a lot more in common than people think.
“Outside of the athleticism of both performing opera and playing soccer, I find that soccer and opera also share a love of drama and truly passionate fan bases. We are all familiar with red card reactions on the field and rival fan altercations in the stands at soccer matches.
“While opera attendees are a little less physical in their confrontations, they are no less passionate about their favorite composer, singer, or conductor. And who is better equipped to understand a divo (or diva) on the field arguing with the referee than a real life opera appreciator? At the end of the day, I find that soccer lovers and opera devotees have more in common than in differences,” he said.
Opera Arlington’s Carmen will be playing June 5-6 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington.
More information can be found HERE.
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