Review: Riveting lead boosts Pittsburgh Opera's slow-paced'Carmen'

TribLIVE: Slow pacing kept Pittsburgh Opera's current presentation of “Carmen” from taking flight, despite a generally excellent cast on March 24 at the Benedum Center, Downtown.

The prelude to the opera began with plenty of vigor, but conductor Antony Walker gave a hint of what was to come by slowing down for the toreador's big tune. The second part of the prelude with its fate motif was well paced. Here, director Marc Astafan made his presence felt before the curtain normally rises by placing Carmen in a spotlight with a blood-red backdrop.