The Canadian Opera Company is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen” with two mezzos.

J’Nai Bridges makes her COC debut in the title role and shares it with COC Ensemble Studio alumna Rihab Chaieb.

They are joined by Argentine tenor Marcelo Puente as Don José and Lebanese-Canadian soprano Joyce El-Khoury as Micaëla. El-Khoury shares the role with Anna-Sophie Neher, an Ensemble Studio alumna. The cast is rounded out by American baritone Lucas Meachem and Canadian baritone Gregory Dahl as Escamillo.

Joel Ivany of Edmonton Opera and Against the Grain Theatre returns to the COC to put his unique directorial stamp on the production. Jacques Lacombe conducts.

“Carmen” runs for eight performances at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts from Oct. 14 through Nov. 4, 2022.