Carmen

With the Bristol Ensemble
Orchestral reduction Pocket Publications

Bizet’s Carmen takes centre stage in this bold, immersive in-the-round production. Reimagined for the turn of the twentieth century and infused with the playful spirit of French opéra-comique, this production reveals original, rarely heard music alongside the opera’s most thrilling and instantly recognisable arias, from the seductive ‘Habanera’ to the electrifying Seguidilla and the blazing Toreador aria. From its scandalous 1875 premiere to its enduring status as one of the world’s most loved operas, Carmen burns with passion, jealousy, and Spanish fire, offering a vivid portrait of Bizet’s fiercely independent anti-heroine. If Opera is delighted to welcome back Alyona Abramova in the title role, following her acclaimed performance as Maddalena in Rigoletto (2025), bringing depth, magnetism, and vocal brilliance to this unforgettable character.