Barrie Kosky's all-singing all-dancing production of Bizet’s much-loved opera Carmen returns to The Royal Opera for its first revival this autumn, following the production’s UK premiere in February 2018. The production was first seen at Oper Frankfurt in 2016.
The young soldier Don José intends to marry Micaëla, a girl from his home village. But when he meets the sensual and fiercely independent Carmen, he sacrifices everything to be with her. Carmen quickly grows bored of Don José and his possessiveness. When she turns her attentions to the dashing toreador Escamillo, Don José's jealousy erupts into violence.
Award-winning Australian director Barrie Kosky provides a refreshing staging of this well-known opera. The production draws upon musical theatre and features distinctively-staged numbers, energetic dancing and arresting theatrical visuals, all designed to offer a new perspective on this enduringly popular classic. The opera’s original dialogue/recitative is also replaced with new text (including some from the Mérimée novella on which Bizet based his opera), performed by a recorded narrator who may symbolize Carmen herself.
Kosky made his Royal Opera debut in the 2016/17 Season directing Shostakovich's The Nose. He is currently Intendant and Artistic Director of Komische Oper Berlin, a position he has held since 2012.
The production features set and costume designs by Katrin Lea Tag, lighting design by Joachim Klein and choreography by Otto Pichler It features the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and Royal Opera Chorus conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson, who makes her Royal Opera debut. Mezzo-soprano Ksenia Dudnikova and tenor Brian Jagde sing the roles of Carmen and Don José, both for the first time at Covent Garden. Other cast members include Eleonora Buratto in her Royal Opera debut as Micaëla and Alexander Vinogradov as Escamillo.
Carmen opens at the Royal Opera House on 30 November 2018, with subsequent performances on 4, 8, 11, 14, 19 and 22 December 2018. The Royal Opera presents a Schools’ Matinee performance of Carmen on 27 November 2018, generously supported by Dame Gail Ronson.
CARMEN
30 November, 4, 8, 11, 14, 22 December 2018 at 7pm
19 December 2018 at 12 noon
Production first seen at Oper Frankfurt in 2016
Schools’ Matinee generously supported by Dame Gail Ronson.
Sung in French with English surtitles
Tickets available from the Royal Opera House website and box office (+44 (0)20 7304 4000)
Credits
Music Georges Bizet
Libretto Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
Director Barrie Kosky
Designer Katrin Lea Tag
Lighting designer Joachim Klein
Choreographer Otto Pichler
Dramaturg Zsolt Horpácsy
Performers
Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson*
Carmen Ksenia Dudnikova
Don José Brian Jagde
Escamillo Alexander Vinogradov
Micaëla Eleonora Buratto*
Zuniga Jean Teitgen
Frasquita Yaritza Véliz *†
Mercédès Aigul Akhmetshina†
Dancairo Germán E. Alcántara*†
Moralès Dominic Sedgwick†
Le Remendado François Piolino
Royal Opera Chorus
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
*Royal Opera debut
†Jette Parker Young Artist
