Jorge Takla, the world-renowned director born in Beirut and who emigrated to Brazil fifty years ago, is returning to his homeland to pay tribute to Baalbeck and its Festival. It was here, in 1974, that he began his artistic journey alongside Bob Wilson. Since then, his acclaimed musicals and operas, performed in São Paulo, New York, Buenos Aires, and many other capitals, have garnered widespread recognition.
Today, he wishes to offer Baalbeck a new production of Bizet’ s Carmen, the world’s most performed and cherished opera. This vibrant and colorful event, envisioned as a grand celebration, will enchant audiences of all ages and backgrounds. It will feature renowned international voices in the lead roles – such us Marie Gautrot as Carmen, Jérôme Boutillier as Escamillo, Julien Behr as Don José and Vannina Santoni as Micaëla – accompanied by a European orchestra, while proudly showcasing the extraordinary talents of Lebanese singers, choirs, and dancers. The musical direction will be entrusted to Toufic Maatouk, whose international acclaim grows with each passing day.
Costumes will be designed by the great designer Rabih Kayrouz, and other visual elements will be entrusted to the masterful hands of renowned Lebanese artists, as the famous painter Nabil Nahas.
– Jorge Takla – Director
– Toufic Maatouk – Conductor
– Soloists:
Marie Gautrot – Carmen
Julien Behr – Don José
Jérôme Boutillier – Escamillo
Vannina Santoni – Micaela
Mira Akiki – Frasquita / Grace Medawar – Mercédès / Cesar Naassy – Zuniga / Fady Jeanbart – Morales /Philippe-Nicolas Martin – Le Dancaïre / Jason Choueifaty – Le Remendado
– Romanian Radio Symphony Orchestra
– Antonine University Choir
– Les Solistes de Beyrouth – Choir master Fernando Afara
– Jean-Louis Mainguy – Artistic Advisor
– Nabil Nahas- Visuals
– Rabih Kayrouz – Costume Designer
– Choreography : Nada Kano – Anselmo Zolla
– Scenography : Jonas Soares
