Carmen - Royal Opera House

Información

Carmen was based on a popular novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée which enticed late 19th century French readers with exotic tales of Spain. Its heady combination of passion, sensuality and violence initially proved too much for the stage and Georges Bizet’s opera was a critical failure on its premiere in 1875.

Bizet died shortly after, never learning of the spectacular success Carmen would achieve: it has been staged over 500 times at Covent Garden alone.

Carmen contains many well-loved numbers, such as Carmen’s seductive Habanera and Escamillo’s rousing Toreador’s song, in which he celebrates the thrill of the bullfight.

Richly coloured designs capture the sultry heat of the Spanish sun, while ranks of soldiers, crowds of peasants, gypsies and bullfighters bring 19th century Seville alive. This combination of memorable music, vivid setting and dramatic story have made Carmen one of the most popular operas in the world.

Duration: 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Start/opening time: Monday to Saturday at 7pm and Saturday at 12pm.
Operational days: From October 19 to November 30, 2015.
Languages: Sung in French with English subtitles.
Facilities: Air conditioned, bar, disabled toilets, infrared hearing loop, toilets, wheelchair accessible.