Woman in flowing dress singing standing side on, facing camera with others behind her

Carmen

Carmen

UK PRODUCTION PREMIERE

The most popular French opera in the world comes to the International Festival direct from Opéra-Comique – the Parisian opera house where it all began.

Carmen’s independent heroine, striking Spanish style and unforgettable melodies have permeated popular culture ever since its premiere in 1875.

Opéra-Comique’s new production of Georges Bizet's masterpiece is brought to the stage by conductor Louis Langrée and director Andreas Homoki. This is a classic tale of love, passion and jealousy, following the soldier Don José’s dramatic fall from grace as he meets the free-spirited Carmen.

The score remains true to Bizet’s original vision, with musical pieces interspersed with dialogue, emphasising the comedic elements of the opera. Homoki also weaves in the history of the opera itself, from its scandalous premiere to its accumulating popularity over the following 149 years.

Mezzo soprano Gaëlle Arquez leads as Carmen, a role which she has perfected in international opera houses since 2017. She performs alongside Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu as Don José, Carmen’s villainous lover. The international cast is joined by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Louis Langrée, Music Director of the Opéra-Comique.

This production of Carmen is a fully staged opera.

The Warm Up: Carmen

Join Nicola Benedetti and the leading lady, Gaëlle Arquez, for this deep dive into Opéra-Comique's Carmen. Gaëlle talks about her long-lasting aspiration to play the role, and how her pre-show ritual sets her up perfectly for the performance ahead.

The Warm Up: Carmen

Buy standard price tickets for three or more operas and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.

0 Stars

Gaëlle Arquez is an elegant, expressive Carmen

Financial Times

0 Stars

Brings meaning and life to an opera that sounds new even though everyone already knows it by heart." ; "it invites us to see the life within the score with fresh eyes

Opera Wire

Supported by Donald and Louise MacDonald and Vivienne and Robin Menzies

With additional support from

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    Programme

    A souvenir programme is available for this performance. Available at the venue for £10 (card only). You can also pick up a freesheet with all the essential information you’ll need.

    Carmen Full Listing


    Opéra-Comique
    Scottish Chamber Orchestra

    Georges Bizet Composer
    Libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halévy

    Louis Langrée Conductor
    Sammy El Ghadab AssistantConductor
    Andreas Homoki Director
    Paul Zoller SetDesigner
    Gideon Davey Costumer Designer
    Franck Evin LightingDesigner
    Céline Giovansili LightingAssistant
    Arturo Gama AssistantDirector
    Marine Thoreau La Salle Pianist

    Adult's Choir     Accentus
    Christophe Grapperon Choir Director
    Children's Choir     Maitrise Populaire de l’Opéra-Comique
    Ludmilla Bouakkaz     Children's choir Director

    Gaëlle Arquez Carmen
    Saimir Pirgu Don José
    Elbenita Kajtazi Micaëla
    Jean-Fernand Setti Escamillo
    Norma Nahoun Frasquita
    Aliénor Feix Mercédès
    François Lis Zuniga
    Jean-Christophe Lanièce Moralès
    Matthieu Walendzik Le Dancaïre
    Abel Zamora Le Remendado
    Sylvia Bergé Don José's Mother
    Hugo Collin, Wadih Cormier, Côme Fanton d’Andon & Yvon-Gérard Lesieur Extras


    Co-produced by Opernhaus Zürich

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