March 25, 2023

Lyric Libations: Carmen

Bizet’s Carmen is a decadent tale of scandal and deadly desire. As a young soldier falls in love with the free-spirited Carmen, their affair quickly spirals out of control. Pull up a seat at Lillas Pastia’s, and let these libations draw you in to the twists and turns of this stunning production, on stage through April 7.

Habanera Margarita

No one can tame a rebellious bird, so be wary of this fiery, yet refreshing drink – it might just set your heart ablaze with a spirited love of Bizet’s Carmen.

Ingredients

  • Habanero pepper
  • 1 oz Patron
  • 1 oz Patron Citronge
  • 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Garnish: salt rim, lime wedge

Ingredients 
Rim your glass with salt. Add tequila, Citronge, lime juice, and chopped habanero pepper to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into your glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and habanero slice.

Recipe adapted from Grow Hot Peppers

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On the Rum Punch

A soldier turned smuggler, Don José abandoned all responsibility to follow a tempting life on the edge with Carmen. Run away from the mundane and indulge in this irresistible rum punch — but only for the night.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz white rum
  • 1 oz dark rum
  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz grenadine
  • Garnish: orange slice, cocktail cherry

Instructions
Stir together all ingredients, except for grenadine, in a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice and top with grenadine. Garnish with orange slice and cherry. 

Recipe adapted from A Couple Cooks

 

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Passionate Red Bullfighter

Whether it’s to wrestle in the ring with bulls or confess his undying love, the smitten toreador, Escamillo, could use this zippy mixture of passion and energy.

 Ingredients

  • 3/4 oz red passion fruit syrup
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 6 oz Red Bull

Instructions
Fill a 16 oz glass with ice and add ingredients into glass in the order listed. Pour mixture into mixing tin and back into serving glass to mix. Add desired garnish and serve.

Recipe adapted from Monin

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Agua de Seville

This classic cocktail tastes best with friends who are always ready to travel — with the perfect balance of bubbles, citrus, and spirits, you won’t tell the difference between your living room and Lillas Pastia’s tavern. 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whiskey
  • 1 cup triple sec
  • 1 liter pineapple juice
  • 1 bottle of sparkling wine
  • Garnish: whipped cream

Instructions
Mix whiskey, triple sec, and pineapple juice into a pitcher. Top with champagne and serve in a glass over crushed ice. Garnish with whipped cream and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Wikipedia

 

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Carmen is irresistible from the first note of the electrifying prelude right to the end of the devastating finale. The immortal tale of the restless, free-spirited heroine and Don José, the soldier who’s drawn to her in a truly “fatal attraction,” [Carmen has long been one of the world’s favorite operas. It returns this season in the company’s vividly colorful, powerfully dramatic production with dynamic Ryan Opera Center alumna J’Nai Bridges, who is now enjoying a dazzling career internationally, in the title role. Partnering with her is Charles Castronovo, one of the world’s most acclaimed tenors. You’ll be drawn to the drama like moth to flame as this alluring opera brings you along to its edge-of-your-seat ending.

Carmen is irresistible from the first note of the electrifying prelude right to the end of the devastating finale. The immortal tale of the restless, free-spirited heroine and Don José, the soldier who’s drawn to her in a truly “fatal attraction,” [Carmen has long been one of the world’s favorite operas. It returns this season in the company’s vividly colorful, powerfully dramatic production with dynamic Ryan Opera Center alumna J’Nai Bridges, who is now enjoying a dazzling career internationally, in the title role. Partnering with her is Charles Castronovo, one of the world’s most acclaimed tenors. You’ll be drawn to the drama like moth to flame as this alluring opera brings you along to its edge-of-your-seat ending.

March 11 - April 7, 2023

Carmen

Carmen

Carmen is irresistible from the first note of the electrifying prelude right to the end of the devastating finale. The immortal tale of the restless, free-spirited heroine and Don José, the soldier who’s drawn to her in a truly “fatal attraction,” Carmen has long been one of the world’s favorite operas. It returns this season in the company’s vividly colorful, powerfully dramatic production with dynamic Ryan Opera Center alumna J’Nai Bridges, who is now enjoying a dazzling career internationally, in the title role. Partnering with her is Charles Castronovo, one of the world’s most acclaimed tenors. You’ll be drawn to the drama like moth to flame as this alluring opera brings you along to its edge-of-your-seat ending.

Header photo: J'Nai Bridges (Carmen) and the company of Bizet's Carmen. Credit: Andrew Cioffi/Lyric Opera of Chicago

All other photos: Todd Rosenberg, Andrew Cioffi