Carmen
UK PRODUCTION PREMIERE
The most popular French opera in the world comes to the International Festival direct from Opéra-Comique – the Parisian opera house where it all began.
Carmen’s independent heroine, striking Spanish style and unforgettable melodies have permeated popular culture ever since its premiere in 1875.
Opéra-Comique’s new production of Georges Bizet's masterpiece is brought to the stage by conductor Louis Langrée and director Andreas Homoki. This is a classic tale of love, passion and jealousy, following the soldier Don José’s dramatic fall from grace as he meets the free-spirited Carmen.
The score remains true to Bizet’s original vision, with musical pieces interspersed with dialogue, emphasising the comedic elements of the opera. Homoki also weaves in the history of the opera itself, from its scandalous premiere to its accumulating popularity over the following 149 years.
Mezzo soprano Gaëlle Arquez leads as Carmen, a role which she has perfected in international opera houses since 2017. She performs alongside Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu as Don José, Carmen’s villainous lover. The international cast is joined by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Louis Langrée, Music Director of the Opéra-Comique.
This production of Carmen is a fully staged opera.
Buy standard price tickets for three or more operas and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.
Gaëlle Arquez is an elegant, expressive Carmen
Brings meaning and life to an opera that sounds new even though everyone already knows it by heart." ; "it invites us to see the life within the score with fresh eyes
Supported by Donald and Louise MacDonald and Vivienne and Robin Menzies
With additional support from
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Opéra-Comique
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Georges Bizet Composer
Libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halévy
Maitrise Populaire de l’Opéra-Comique
Ludmilla Bouakkaz Choir Director
Christophe Grapperon Choir Director (accentus)
Louis Langrée Conductor
Andreas Homoki Director
Paul Zoller Set Designer
Gideon Davey Costumer Designer
Franck Evin Lighting Designer
Arturo Gama Assistant Director
Gaëlle Arquez Carmen
Saimir Pirgu Don José
Elbenita Kajtazi Micaëla
Jean-Fernand Setti Escamillo
Norma Nahoun Frasquita
Aliénor Feix Mercédès
François Lis Zuniga
Jean-Christophe Lanièce Moralès
Matthieu Walendzik Le Dancaïre
Abel Zamora Le Remendado
Sylvia Bergé Don José's Mother
Hugo Collin, Wadih Cormier, Côme Fanton d’Andon & Yvon-Gérard Lesieur Extras
Co-produced by Opernhaus Zürich
TICKET PRICES AND CONCESSIONS
A limited number of £10 Affordable Tickets are available for every performance. First, log into your online account or create a new account if you don’t have one. £10 Affordable Tickets are available in the Stalls in Prices F and R, in the Circle in Price L and in the Upper Circle in Prices O, P and Q. Select your seat(s) and add the tickets to your basket. Enter promo code INVITED at checkout, and your ticket(s) will be discounted to £10.
The £10 Affordable Ticket is subject to availability and limited to two per customer per event. No proof of eligibility is required. £10 Affordable Tickets work on a trust basis and we hope that these will only be chosen by people who need them.
D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people and under 18s are entitled to a 50% concession discount.
Free Essential Companion tickets are available for those who need them. Select Essential Companion ticket from the drop-down menu, and the price will automatically update to a free ticket in your basket. You must purchase two tickets for the Essential Companion offer to apply.
Arts workers and under 30s are entitled to a 30% concession discount, which are available from 21 March. Arts workers and under 30s concessions are not available on top-price tickets (Prices A+, A, G and H). Proof of eligibility may be requested at venues.
All concessions are subject to availability. Ticket prices may vary from previously published prices.
MULTIBUY OFFERS
We have a variety of multibuy offers where you can save 20% on standard price tickets when you buy tickets for multiple shows. Multibuy offers will only apply when tickets are purchased in the same transaction.
Opera Lovers: Buy standard price tickets for three or more operas (Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, Oedipus Rex, Così fan tutte, and Capriccio) and get 20% off. This offer excludes concessions and top-price tickets (Prices A+, A, G and H).
GROUP BOOKINGS
Groups of ten or more receive a 10% discount on full-price tickets for selected performances. Group discounts are available from 21 March. For groups of more than 20, phone the box office or email [email protected]
YOUNG CHILDREN POLICY
We adhere to each venue’s individual policy and advise that you contact our box office for further information before booking tickets. We will include age guidance on relevant performances.
TICKET EXCHANGES & REFUNDS
No refunds will be given except in the event of cancellation of a performance. Tickets may be exchanged up to 48 hours before a performance to another performance of the same show, subject to availability. A £1.50 fee per ticket exchanged will be charged.
We have partnered with TicketPlan to offer optional ticket protection. This allows you to recoup 100% of the paid ticket price (including any booking fee) if you are unable to attend your event for any number of covered reasons, including illness, travel delays, adverse weather conditions and more. For more information, visit ticketplangroup.com/eifrefundpromise
Refund Protection is an optional service offered by Edinburgh International Festival and administered by TicketPlan. It is not an insurance policy.