Opera Philadelphia

Bizet

Carmen Carmen videoPlayWatch

Carmen

New Production
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac
Performed in French with English supertitles
Opera at the Academy

A sizzling new production of one of the world's most popular operas

Everyone is drawn to Carmen, an irresistible Spanish gypsyexcept Corporal Don José. But even he soon succumbs to her seduction, fleeing a life in the military to join the gypsy world, all in Carmen’s name. When the famous bullfighter Escamillo begins to win her affection, however, a dangerous love triangle grows. Micaëla, Don José’s hometown sweetheart, attempts to wrest him from Carmen’s grasp, but to no availfate has already dealt its hand. With its twisting tale of romance, deceit, and disaster set to magnetic melodies, Bizet’s masterpiece, Carmen, has become one of the world’s most popular operas.

MapAcademy of Music

Dates are April–May 2018.

Fri, Apr 27 8:00 p.m.
Sun, Apr 29 2:30 p.m.
Wed, May 2 8:00 p.m.
Fri, May 4 8:00 p.m.
Sun, May 6 2:30 p.m.

Approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes, including one 20-minute and one 15-minute intermission

Production underwritten, in part, by Mrs. Sandra K. Baldino and by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick P. Huff.

Co-production with Seattle Opera and Irish National Opera

Cast & Creative Team

Cast & Creative

Yves Abel
Yves Abel *Conductor
Paul Curran
Paul CurranDirector
Daniela Mack
Daniela Mackas Carmen
Evan LeRoy Johnson
Evan LeRoy Johnson *as Don José
Adrian Timpau
Adrian Timpau *as Escamillo
Kirsten MacKinnon
Kirsten MacKinnonas Micaëla
Johnathan McCullough
Johnathan McCulloughas Moralès
Musa Ngqungwana
Musa Ngqungwanaas Zuniga
Ashley Milanese
Ashley Milaneseas Frasquita
Anastasiia Sidorova
Anastasiia Sidorovaas Mercédès
Daniel Taylor
Daniel Tayloras Le Remendado
Doğukan Kuran
Doğukan Kuran *as Le Dancaïre
  • Gary McCann Set & Costume Design
  • Paul Hackenmueller Lighting Design
  • Seth Hoff Choreographer & Assistant Director
  • Elizabeth Braden Chorus Master
  • Lisa Anderson Production Stage Manager
  • Jen Shaw Assistant Stage Manager
  • Gregory Boyle Assistant Stage Manager
  • Philadelphia Boys & Girls Choirs Children's Chorus
  • *Opera Philadelphia debut
Georges Bizet

The Composer

Georges Bizet

Georges Bizet was born in Paris, France, on October 25, 1838. His father was an amateur singer and composer, and his mother was the sister of a famous singing teacher. He entered the Paris Conservatoire in October 1848 just before his tenth birthday and while there became an outstanding pianist, organist, and score reader while there. Bizet would use those skills working as a rehearsal pianist and musical arranger to earn extra money. In the process he learned about musical trends in Paris, knowledge that would shape his own music, as demonstrated in the Symphony in C Major, which he wrote at the age of 17. Learn more about Georges Bizet.

Listen: Paul Curran and Daniela Mack on the relevance of Carmen in 2018

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