She’s the operatic embodiment of the femme fatale, the alluring and fickle woman whose heedless sexuality can draw a man to his own destruction. That makes the title character of Bizet’s “Carmen” a tricky creation to get a bead on — at once a bizarre projection of all the erotic anxieties of the 19th century patriarchy and (potentially) an avatar of unapologetic feminine power.
For its summer offering, Festival Opera will bring “Carmen” to the stage in the person of mezzo-sopranoNikola Printz, a gifted Adler fellow stepping in on short notice for the originally scheduled Taylor Raven. Opposite them will be tenor Dane Suarez as the hapless and besotted Don José.
Director Michael Mohammed, a reliably resourceful and innovative figure in the Bay Area opera world, directs the production, which is conducted by Robert Mollicone. Soprano Hope Briggs (Micaëla) and baritone Young Kwang Yoo (Escamillo) complete the lineup of principal singers.