The Arizona Opera is launching a Kickstarter campaign for Carmen: The Graphic Novel, based on the classic opera Carmen, by French composer George Bizet. The graphic novel features writing by opera singer and director Alek Shrader, and art by P. Craig Russell (American Gods) and Aneke (Bylines in Blood).
Carmen was a groundbreaking opera that shattered a lot of conventions when it was first performed in Paris in 1875. It is set in the South of Spain and tells the story of Carmen, who seduces a stern soldier, Don José. The man abandons his fiancee and his duties to follow Carmen, who abandons him for the bullfighter Escamillo. Mad with rage, José kills Carmen, ending the opera with the tragic death of the main character on stage, which was unusual for the genre of opéra-comique. Carmen scandalized its first audiences with its depiction of lawlessness and transgression, but it soon grew to become one of the most popular operas of the classic canon.
Alek Shrader is a successful tenor who has appeared with many of the world’s most prestigious opera companies. He also recently ventured into directing and writing, and Carmen will be his first foray into the world of comic books. P. Craig Russell, on the other hand, is a veteran with 50 years of experience in the industry. His breakout came with the Killraven character, and his work on the Elric of Melnibone stories - based on the character created by Michael Moorcock - for Marvel Comics and Dark Horse is legendary. Russell also adapted many of beloved writer Neil Gaiman's stories into comic form, including Coraline and American Gods. Aneke is a young artist and colorist who has worked mostly for DC Comics, with credits including Batgirl and Bombshells. Enjoy an exclusive preview for Carmen: The Graphic Novel below. The project is live on Kickstarter now.
In most modern readings, Carmen's female protagonist is appreciated as the depiction of a strong, independent woman who does not care about her "scandalous" behavior, and puts her freedom and instincts before anything else. From the preview, it seems that the graphic novel will be very faithful to the opera and to the Carmen character. P. Craig Russell and Aneke do an amazing job portraying the colorful but also ragged world of 19th century Seville and Southern Spain. Of the project, Joseph Specter, Arizona Opera’s President and General Director, says:
It’s a thrill for Arizona Opera to share the work of this remarkable team of artists through the graphic novel format and the timeless story of Carmen. Throughout the pandemic, our company has constantly pursued novel approaches to connecting people through opera, when people need art and meaning the most. Carmen: The Graphic Novel represents an amazing opportunity to extend that focus on innovation, impact, and community.
Kickstarter backers will also get exclusive collectible prints for other operas which Arizona Opera will stage in 2022: an Ariadne auf Naxos print by Natacha Bustos (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), a Tosca print from Erica d’Urso (Inferno Girl Red) and colorist Marissa Louise (Grumble). Comic book fans should check out Carmen: The Graphic Novel for a new way to experience this radical story, whether for the first or fiftieth time.