The Dallas Opera is set to open its 2025-26 season with the U.S. premiere of a new production celebrating the 150th anniversary of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.”

The production faithfully recreates the original Carmen from the 1875 premiere at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The production features a team that has spent more than two years researching original staging through manuals, lithographs, and more to reconstruct the sets and costumes that audiences saw in Paris 150 years ago. Romain Gilbert directs the production and said, “This production is a tribute to the original design of the 1875 premiere. It shows artcraft that people are not used to seeing anymore.”

Mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti signs the title role alongside tenor Saimir Pirgu as Don José. They are joined by soprano Teresa Perrotta, tenor Matthew Goodheart, baritone Kyle Miller, baritone Laureano Quant, and baritone Eleomar Cuello, baritone Gihoon Kim, soprano Diana Newman, and mezzo-soprano Kristen Choi.

Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts The Dallas Opera Orchestra and Chorus and the children’s chorus.

“Carmen” is set to be performed from Oct. 17 through 26, 2025 at the Winspear Opera House.

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