Join Creative OPERAtions and 3BR Distillery for Bite-Sized Opera: Just a Taste of Carmen, an unforgettable evening of music, storytelling, cocktails, and community. Co-produced by Creative OPERAtions and 3BR Distillery, this original adaptation reimagines Bizet's Carmen through the symbolism of tarot, creating an intimate theatrical experience unlike any other.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, giving guests time to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and settle in before the performance begins at 7:00 PM. The evening opens with a 20-minute recital of Spanish-inspired vocal music that draws you into the passion, mystery, and romance of Carmen. After intermission, experience a one-hour adaptation in which each of the opera's four principal characters is represented by a tarot card, revealing the beliefs, choices, and unseen forces that shape their destiny. As music, narration, and tarot imagery intertwine, fate ultimately reveals the final card.

Whether you're discovering opera for the first time or returning to a beloved masterpiece, this immersive performance offers an engaging and approachable experience in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Sip a handcrafted cocktail, settle in with friends, and experience passion, love, betrayal, and fate through some of opera's most unforgettable music.

But the story doesn't end with the final card. Every choice has a consequence—and every act of generosity has the power to change someone's story. Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to support Creative OPERAtions' Feed the Soul initiative, helping bring free concerts, shared meals, and meaningful artistic experiences to our neighbors facing food insecurity.

Opera is about to be served in a whole new way.

A New Look at Carmen

In this original adaptation, each of the opera's four principal characters is represented by a tarot card, revealing the beliefs, choices, and forces that shape their journey. As the story unfolds, the cards weave together music, narration, and drama, until fate reveals the final card.

Meet Our Cast

Laura Virella
Carmen

Hailed by the LA Times as “a capable singer and actor, compelling on stage,” mezzo-soprano sanjuanera Laura Virella has performed at Carnegie Hall, Long Beach Opera, Festival de Santa Fiorentina, Theater Rudolstadt, Wolf Trap Opera, Puerto Rico's Teatro de la Ópera, San Diego Opera, Detroit Opera and Teatro GALA in DC. She's known operatically for her collection of strong, fiery women –Carmen, Frida, Maddalena, Luisa Fernanda, Desideria, Mari Pepa– and impassioned young men –Hänsel, Niklausse, Idamante, Octavian. An avid storyteller and champion of chamber and song repertoire, she has performed with ArtsAhimsa, the Queens New Music Festival, and the Steinway Society of Puerto Rico, with recital programming that often weaves in Puerto Rican works. Virella is a recipient of the Peabody Opera Award, a Helen Hayes Award winner and two-time nominee, and was Runner-Up for Best Actress in Opera (second to Patricia Racette) in the DC Theatre Scene Awards. You can find her on streaming platforms worldwide.

For more information please visit: www.lauravirella.com

Edward Washington II
Don José

American tenor Edward Washington II was born in England and raised in Saudi Arabia. He is celebrated for his compelling tenor voice, lightning-fast coloratura, and unwavering dedication to the art form.

Mr. Washington has performed with Detroit Opera, Opera Omaha, Florida Grand Opera, Lyric Opera, Opera Orlando, Annapolis Opera, the International Festival of the Voice, Syracuse Opera, New York City Opera, and The Metropolitan Opera—earning three Grammy nominations and two Grammy wins. His concert career includes appearances with the United States Air Force Band, Alexandria Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, Britain’s Got Talent finalist group Vox Ventura, New Philharmonic Chorus, and the American Spiritual Ensemble, among others. He has performed works by seven American composers, including numerous spirituals, art songs, one cantata, two song cycles, and two operas. Recently, he was featured as a soloist in Solange Knowles’ curated El Dorado Ballroom at Jones Hall in Houston, Texas.

A brother of Phi Mu Alpha and an accomplished clarinetist, Edward has conducted choirs, musical theater, and opera professionally. He also served as Music and Education Director of the nonprofit Negro Spiritual Scholarship Foundation. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University and his Master’s degree from Morgan State University, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.

For more information please visit: www.edward2know.com

Corinne Schaefer
Micaëla

Soprano Corinne Schaefer is celebrated for her versatility and dynamic performances. She performed in the German production of The Phantom of the Opera at Stage Theater Neue Flora, Hamburg, where she played Carlotta 114 times. Her roles include The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, Beth in the European premiere of Little Women in Brugge, Belgium, Olympia in Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, Nanetta in Falstaff, Musetta in La Bohème, Clotilde in Norma, and Norina in Don Pasquale. As a concert soloist, Corinne has performed with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Polizeichor Hamburg, Bucks County Symphony, and others, with appearances across Germany, Austria, Italy, and the US.

Corinne holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and is an alumni of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. Corinne’s awards include 1st prize in Haßloch Meisterkurs La Primavera, 2nd place in the National Opera Association Vocal Competition, and encouragement awards from the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, Palm Beach Opera Vocal Competition, and the Opera at Florham Vocal Competition.

In 2022, she founded Creative OPERAtions, a New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit bridging classical music genres and communities who do not have regular or easy access to the art forms.

For more information please visit: www.corinne-schaefer.com

Eliam Ramos
Escamillo

Eliam Ramos is a Puerto Rican singer with a rich bass-baritone voice who has performed opera and concert works with companies in the United States, Spain, Israel, Puerto Rico and Mexico. His artistic engagements range from traditional opera and symphonic concerts, to zarzuelas and modern compositions. The Metropolitan Opera Guild featured Mr. Ramos in their Verdi’s Baritones Serie in their 2022-2023 season in which he also made his Carnegie Hall Debut with Clif Hardin’s Requiem.

Mr. Ramos engagements for 2024-2025 include Alfio from Cavalleria Rusticana with Regina Opera, Bach’s Cantata No. 33 with Bach in Baltimore, the Doctor in the world premiere of The Extinctionist with Heartbeat Opera, Hayden’s Lord Nelson Mass with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, various roles with the American Opera Project’s Opera Lab, the role of Cascada and the cover of Baron Zeta in Lehar’s Die Lustige Witwe (Merry Widow) with Geneva Light Opera, Pap (Fannie Lou Hammer’s husband) in the world premier of Is This America with White Snake Projects, Scarpia in Tosca and Silvio in I Pagliacci both with Regina Opera and Bach’s Cantata 82 with Bach in Baltimore, soloist in the world premier of Paul Aiken’s Missa Pro Terra at Carnegie Hall, Beethoven’s 9th with the New Britain Symphony Society, Dumas in Rossini Perduto with the Long Island Concert Orchestra, Dulcamara in L'Elisir D'Amore with Boston's Bar Harbor Festival, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro with Soo Theatre Projects well as different concert in the NYC area.

For more information please visit: www.eliamramos.com

David Maiullo
Piano

David Maiullo, acclaimed by Opera News as “a pianist of sentiment, discretion, and style,” is a distinguished accompanist, coach, and conductor based in the New York City metropolitan area. With a remarkable track record of over 4,000 recitals and performances, he has graced the stages of prestigious US venues including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. His international engagements have taken him to renowned locations in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Hungary, Poland, and Japan.Mr. Maiullo had the honor of performing the European premiere of Gian Carlo Menotti’s MASS for the composer in Spoleto with the Ars Musica Chorale and has appeared at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He completed a notable twenty-year tenure as Music Director and Chairman of the Board for Bravo Alliance of Performing Artists. Additionally, he served as Music Director for Nyack College’s opera workshop, assistant chorus director at Kean University, and Conductor/Music Director for Eastern Opera, Opera Fest NJ, and Opera Fest Italy in Tolentino, Italy.