Michieletto's Carmen Returns

One of the world's most popular operas, forming the 'C' in the famed ABC of opera, Carmen is a sizzling tale of lust and betrayal that runs the gamut from passionate romance to tragedy, belayed by Bizet's unforgettable score. Returning to the Royal Opera House this season, Olivier winner Damiano Michieletto's seductive five-star production updates the story to 1970s Spain in a naturalistic setting that captures the simmering heat of the beloved work.

The story of Carmen

Set in provincial Seville around the year 1830, Bizet's powerful masterpiece deals with the love and jealousy of the young and impetuous Don Jose, who is lured away from his duty as a soldier and his beloved Micaela by the seductive, shameless gypsy factory-girl Carmen, whom he allows to escape from custody with the promise of love. However, he is not the only one in want of her charms; he must deal with a handsome toreador, as well as his captain. When he gets his desire though, he finds that it isn't all that is cracked up to be, and with Carmen's wandering affections, he is driven to mad jealousy that leads to a devastating showdown.