Carmen is getting dressed for the premiere

- I am sure that “Carmen” will be a success in Bydgoszcz, in Poland! – says Maria Luisa Ramos Corrales, coordinating the preparations of the costumes for the ballet performance by Johan Inger. The premiere of “Carmen" on April 26 will inaugurate the XXXI Bydgoszcz Opera Festival!

- Carmen is a 21 century woman facing problems connected with liberty and other aspects of real life. Red, short dress with flounces and the Carmen’s movement emphasize her courage, sexiness and intelligence. In turn, toreador Escamillo shines on stage like a rock star. Usual people from the town are like dogs which are pictured by men wearing dotted shirts, typical for dalmatian dogs fur. The costumes here reflect the modern character of the story in “Carmen”, yet at the same time are simple and focus the attention on details featuring Spain – says Maria Luisa Ramos Corrales, coordinating the preparations of the costumes for the ballet performance by Johan Inger.

Costumes, which merge the fresh vision of the Swedish choreographer with the Spanish culture where the original character comes from, have been created by the late fashion designer and artist, David Delfin.

- David was a wonderful fashion creator in Spain. He was very talented and had a unique designing style. He designed costumes for several ballet productions for Compañia Nazional de Danza (CND) in Madrid, with “Carmen” by Johan Inger being one of them – explains Maria Luisa Ramos Corrales who was lucky to share the creative time with David Delfin in 2015 while working on the Spanish world premiere of “Carmen” and preparing the costumes.

Exactly a decade after the world premiere in Madrid, intensive preparations for the premiere in Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz are ongoing. Sewing costumes in our tailor’s department was preceded by finding appropriate materials, also for a dress of the title character which would perfectly reflect the originally designed one with its red colour shade. The thorough care of every detail is proved by the fact that one of the producers delivered the zippers especially made for the needs of the “Carmen” premiere in the Opera Nova.

Maria Luisa Ramos Corrales, who supervises the costumes preparations for the premiere in Bydgoszcz, notices that the ballet “Carmen” by Inger has become international.

- It is danced by the Australian, British, Greek, German… Each ballet company who staged “Carmen” by Johan Inger knows that they touch the problems which are still valid. Having watched this ballet, you come back home and you are still thinking about “Carmen” – admits out guest speaker.

- I have a lot of respect for Johan Inger’s choreography work who exposes the universal history of “Carmen” with a dance full of expression and real emotions in a very thoughtful way – adds Maria Luisa Ramos Corrales who had an opportunity to work with the brilliant choreographer in Madrid at the several earlier productions.

The costumes coordinator, originally coming from Spain, arrived in Bydgoszcz for the first time – as well as the other part of the producers of the ballet “Carmen”.

- This is my first visit in a Polish opera theatre and I am very pleased to be here. Opera Nova is a wonderful place with an excellent company. I am sure that “Carmen” will be a success in Bydgoszcz, in Poland! – says Maria Luisa Ramos Corrales smiling.