The Gypsy seductress Carmen, who shocked 19th century Paris opera lovers, still wields her magic in the State Street Ballet’s new creation by choreographer William Soleau.

The ballet’s latest production opened the company’s fall season over the weekend at the Lobero with two performances of Soleau’s fiery work. It starred Jennifer Batbouta in the leading role and newcomer Ryan Camou as her tormented lover, Don Jose. Yuan-Ming Chang was the swaggering torero, Escamillo.

The choreographer has worked with the State Street Ballet several times, most notably creating “Starry Night” during the 1999 season. He joined the cast and artistic director Rodney Gustafson in the warm final curtain call on Friday night, as a full house expressed its approval.

The petite Batbouta was a feisty, haughty and brilliant Carmen. Camou, who was a guest performer with State Street last season, was a passionate Don Jose. Both dancers were by turns ardent, angry and ultimately tragic as the story played out.
Autumn Eckman as Micaela, Don Jose’s innocent girlfriend, Silvia Rotaru as Mercedes, Carmen's Gypsy friend, Carmen’s and Micah Kurtzberg as Zuniga, Don Jose’s commanding officer, provided strong dancing in supporting roles. The timeless score by Georges Bizet was arranged by Rodion Shchedrin, with unusual percussion effects and familiar themes played in an almost modern, sardonic tone.

The entire program was a study in French composition. It began with Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero,” choreographed by Gustafson and starring Chang and Eckman. Gustafson created the work on a total of 16 dancers, in various combinations and finally en masse, as the work built to its thundering conclusion. “Bolero” showed how a relatively small number of powerful dancers can fill a stage, without need for scenery or sets.