Before 'Les Miserables' and 'Miss Saigon' there was Bizet's 'Carmen.' In 1978 this extremely rare poster for a very unusual and rare production of 'Carmen' was brought to you by Mexico's Board of Tourism. This all day event was a double-billing for the famous opera combined with an actual bullfight in Monterrey, Mexico inside Plaza Monumental. Today this seems almost other world.
This poster is a snapshot of a time that reflects the country and the culture of both Spain and Mexico. This was such a big event that the Mexican government promoted it. The live bullfight, which ties into the opera, made this the most epic performance of 'Carmen' in history.
In the history of dramatic theater and operas the actors listed are some of the greats. Ann Howard was often the top billed and in May of 1978 she came to Monterrey.
In second billing was the dramatic tenor Richard Kness. He and his wife, actress Joann Grillo(of New York's Metropolitan Opera fame and Madame Butterfly) founded the Ambassadors of Opera and Concert Worldwide, a company whose aim was to bring opera and musicals to places where such entertainment is not usually found. They were the driving force behind productions like this.
Lucila Sabella was one of Mexico's greatest operatic voices and is revered to this day. The city of Monterrey has monuments and performing arts buildings dedicated to her. Her billing alone is what made this whole event happen. She was the biggest draw in all of Mexico.
Franco Iglesias(aka Xavier Iglesias) is an accomplished baritone who taught Placido Domingo. The two later formed an opera company that toured Mexico. Maestro Iglesias later became a world-renowned vocal instructor to other greats including Marcus Haddock, Jorge Antonio Pita, Ainhoa Arteta, and Marcia Whitehead. Robin Stapleton is a renowned conductor and composer. Everyone on this billing only became more famous.
This poster is a 2-color print in black with her green eyes peering from behind a Spanish fan. As you can see from the photos the poster has some age around the edges which aren't visible once framed. There is one area that did not show up well that has two tiny holes a few millimeters in size. They have no affect on the appearance as evident in the full size photo. I can take more pictures to try to show them if needed. Minor signs of age like this are insignificant once framed.
Matador, historical, Spanish, Latin, running of the bulls
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