FRIDAY 17th JUNE, 2011 (PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD): In just 10 days, due to an overwhelming public response, tickets for the Marionettes Chorale’s July premiere of Bizet’s CARMEN are already flying. Some performances are already half sold. Set for a July 9th premiere at Queen’s Hall, the bpTT-sponsored production is already becoming one of the most anticipated shows of the year.

Tickets are $200 open plan and $250 reserved, and available:

·      from June 5th online (open plan tickets only) at http://marionettes-carmen.eventbrite.com; 

·      from June 5th from members, or by contacting email@marionetetschorale.com or calling (868) 790-1751; and

·      from June 21st at the Queen's Hall Box Office, 12pm-6pm daily, at (868) 624-1284.

The talented, award-winning double-cast includes Candice Alcantara and Lesley Lewis-Alleyne as Carmen; Marlon De Bique and Nigel Floyd as Don José. Arnold Phillip and Marvin Smith as Escamillo; Natalia Dopwell and Feryal Qudourah; Nigel Pierre and Richard Pierre as Zuñiga; Arnold Phillip and Garfield Washington as Moralès; Jacqueline Smith and Ayrice Wilson as Frasquita; Patrice Quammie and Llettesha Sylvester as Mercédès; Kashif Dennis and Stephan Hernandez as Dancaïro; Raguel Gabriel and Errol James as Remendado; with Caroline Taylor and Dwight Lewis in the spoken roles of Lillas Pastia and the Guide.

These award-winning vocalists will be joined by a premiere orchestra of local instrumentalists as well as British string players. “There is a lot of excitement all round,” explains Marionettes Artistic & Musical Director Gretta Taylor. “We had a wonderful experience with our visiting British string players in 2009. Our members learned so much from them, and they were completely stunned by our local talent, and especially the versatility of the steel pan and our musical traditions. We look forward to another cultural exchange with them and are thrilled to present the first production of CARMEN featuring our national instrument, the steel pan, integrated with the traditional Western orchestra.”

Partnering with the Marionettes on this tremendous production are longtime sponsors, bpTT; Dr. Vertrelle Mickens of the University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT); the Noble Douglas Dance Company Inc (NDDCI); members of the Love Movement’s Lights of Love; and a decorated production team including Celia Wells, Margaret Sheppard, Randy Halfhide, Franklin Agarrat, Leslie Clement, Maureen Clement and Giselle Langton.

CARMEN runs over two weekends: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July, then Thursday 14th through Sunday 17th July at Queen’s Hall. Showtimes are 7:30pm, except Sundays which are 5pm.

For more information about the production and the choir, visit the Marionettes’ new website at http://www.marionetteschorale.com and their vibrant Marionettes Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/marionetteschorale.

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ABOUT THE MARIONETTES:

Founded in 1964, incorporated as a nonprofit in 2005, and sponsored by bpTT since 1972, the Marionettes Chorale (Hummingbird Medal Gold) is one of the Caribbean's most celebrated choirs, both at home and abroad.  In 1995, the Youth Chorale was formed, comprised of boys and girls from over 30 schools throughout Trinidad & Tobago who regularly share the stage with their senior counterparts. Led since 1974 by conductor Gretta Taylor, assistant musical director Susan Dore and secretary and founder member Joanne Mendes, the choirs mount at least two major productions a year, showcasing a repertoire ranging from European Renaissance to Caribbean Folk and Calypso. Web: http://www.marionetteschorale.com

Photo captions & credits (All photos by Mark lyndersay):

1.     Carmen, played by Candice Alcantara and Lesley Lewis-Alleyne

2.     Escamillo, played by Arnold Phillip and Marvin Smith

3.     Micaela, played by Natalia Dopwell and Feryal Qudourah

4.     Marionettes Artistic & Musical Director, Gretta Taylor