• The fiery depiction of a woman who craves love but stirs obsession

and jealousy along the way is one of the most popular operas

of all the time. Carmen attracts opera lovers and newcomers

alike for familiar, sweeping melodies that are as irresistible as

the title character herself, who has also become a defining

female cultural figure.

• The new modern staging by acclaimed English director Carrie

Cracknell stars rising mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina in the

title role, leading a powerhouse quartet of stars that also features

tenor Piotr Beczała as Don José, soprano Angel Blue as Micaëla,

and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo.

• Maestro Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s score, which includes

some of the most famous arias in opera, such as the Habanera

and the Toreador Song.