Nate, the activist who led the November 21, 2025, disruption of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Carmen,” has issued an open letter addressed to the cast, creative team, and members of the public seeking clarity on the group’s motivations. The letter, which was sent to OperaWire, was written following Smith’s release from Manhattan’s central booking facility and outlines both an apology to {…}
( Credit: Ken Howard) On Friday, Nov. 21, the Metropolitan Opera experienced a protest during the first Act of “Carmen” that interrupted the performance. According to the New York Times, three demonstrators were arrested by the New York City police, and removed from the hall. The report did not make clear what they were protesting. Still, it noted that eyewitnesses {…}
(Photo: Evan Zimmerman) The Metropolitan Opera’s season premiere of Carrie Cracknell’s revived production of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” debuted on October 28, 2025 with a stellar cast lineup including Isabel Leonard, Kristina Mkhitaryan, Michael Fabiano, Benjamin Taylor, Scott Conner, Madison Leonard, Briana Hunter, Adam Plachetka, Michael Adams, and Aaron Blake. The original debut of this production took place during the 2023-24 {…}
Opera Australia is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen” with Danielle de Niese in the title role. The soprano will make a return to her home city in a new production of “Carmen” from Nov. 15 to 25 at the Regent Theatre. De Niese will star in Anne-Louise Sarks’ new production, which will feature collaborations with Tony Award-winning Marg Horwell, who {…}
(Credit: Ken Howard) The Metropolitan Opera is set to revive Carrie Cracknell’s production of Bizet’s “Carmen.” The work will be performed 13 times with mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard taking on the lead role alongside tenor Michael Fabiano and Matthew Polenzani. The cast will also include soprano Kristina Mkhitaryan as Micaëla and bass-baritone Adam Plachetka as Escamillo. Fabien Gabel, in his company debut, {…}
Toledo Opera and Handmade Toledo are set to present “Unmasking Carmen: A Toledo Opera Tuesday Talk.” The event, set for Sept. 30, 2025 at Handmade Toledo, will feature a live panel discussion in which artists discuss the famed Bizet opera in the modern context. Among the panelists will be filmmaking instructor and theatre director Megan Aherne; Toledo Resident Artists Rachel {…}
Toledo Opera and Toledo Spirits will join forces for “Get Into the Spirit of Opera” on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Toledo Spirits Company. The event celebrates Toledo Opera’s upcoming production of Carmen with an evening of music, craft cocktails, and community. Guests will enjoy signature drinks created by Toledo Spirits, live performances from {…}
Toledo Opera will present Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” on Oct. 10 and 12, 2025. The opera will be performed at the Valentine Theatre and will showcase a new production by Jeffrey Buchman featuring choreography by Rosa Mercedes. “Carmen” will be conducted by Adam Turner and will star Lisa Marie Rogali as Carmen, Brendan Boyle as Don José, Joshua Jeremiah as Escamillo, {…}
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, {…}
Chicago City Opera is set to open its new season with a production of “Carmen” at the Horatio N. May Chapel in Rosehill Cemetery. Set for Oct. 3 and 4, 2025, the performances of the famed Bizet masterwork will star Angela Born in the title role and Jordan Loyd as Don José. Joining them are Keaton Payne, Jessie Lyons, Diana {…}
California’s Guild Opera Company will present “Carmen” on June 27 and 28, 2025. The production, which will take place at River of the Valley in Canoga Park, will feature mezzo-soprano Kimberly Poli in the role as Carmen; tenor David De Melo as Don José; baritone David Hodgson as Escamillo; soprano Veronica Robinson as Micaëla; Lily Berthold and Emma Berggren as {…}
