Tucker and Watson impress in San Diego Opera "Carmen"

"As Don José, tenor Robert Watson makes a solid company debut. He has a sweet and sensitive vocal tone, a big sound and performs his character’s signature “flower aria” mostly perfect. Most affectingly, he brings a lurking menace to his character, who transforms credibly from chaste country boy to obsessive killer and criminal in just over

2 1/2 hours. In this version, he doesn’t just fight with his superiors at the smugglers’ tavern in the first act, he brutally slaughters them. . . Also making standout debuts are soprano Sarah Tucker, with her heart-rending and soulful performance as Micäela, the virgin country girl Don José discards in his lust for Carmen" -San Diego Union Tribune Read full review.