The cast on June 16, and 18, 1978, included: Pari Samar as Carmen; Jon Buzea as Don José; Hossein Sarshar as Escamillo with Farhad Mechkat at the podium. (The former Principal Conductor of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra is currently associated with the Pacific Symphony in Costa Mesa, Orange County, in California.) Monique Baudouin, a French opera singer appeared in Tehran as Sophie, a tearful fifteen year old Charlotte’s sister who was also in love with Werther. With her crystalline soprano she brought to the Sophie character sweetness, charm and ardour, especially in the cheering up aria: “Du gai soleil, plein de flamme”.
