Opera review: Carmen, Cork Opera House

Staging opera is notoriously expensive and few theatres can afford it. Cork Opera House, however, has worked out a very sensible middle route in collaboration with that exceptionally gifted conductor/ director John O’Brien, offering full concert performances of popular works to the city’s many opera buffs.

Last year they gave us La Traviata and The Merry Widow. Saturday night saw Carmen performed in concert format to a packed house, and the only crib on an enjoyable night was the late finish of 11.15pm.