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 {…}
Carnegie Hall+ is set to present a free, outdoor film screening in Bryant Park of Bizet’s “Carmen” from the Arena di Verona. The performance, which was filmed in 2022, features Franco Zeffirelli’s legendary production and stars Elīna Garanča in one of her signature roles. She is joined by Brian Jagde, Claudio Sgura, and Maria Teresa Leva. Marco Armiliato conducts the {…}
Rai Cultura has announced that it will collaborate with the Teatro alla Scala to bring three performances to audiences from the 2025-26 season. The first performance of the season will be the opening performance of “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk,” which will be conducted by Riccardo Chailly and directed by Vasily Barkhatov. The cast will include Alexander Roslavets, Sara Jakubiak, Najmiddin {…}
(Credit: Marcello Orselli) On May 16, the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genova is set to present Bizet’s “Carmen.” The production by Emilio Sagi will be conducted by Donato Renzetti and will star Annalisa Stroppa in the title role. Stroppa has become well known for her interpretation, and she will be joined by Francesco Meli, Luca Tittoto, and Giuliana Gianfaldoni. There {…}
Opera del West is teaming up with Brokton Symphony Orchestra for a concert performance of Bizet’s “Carmen” at Massasoit Community College in Brockton. The opera will be headlined by Heather Gallagher as Carmen, Matthew Arnold as Don José, Melynda Davis as Micaëla, and Juan Suarez as Escamillo. Other cast members include Chenxi Fu, Carlo Bunyi, Jay Hutzler, Roselin Osser, and {…}
(Credit: Mark Brenner) For the second time in only a few months, I find myself reviewing a production I have seen before where I was initially very critical of what I perceived to be a weak production, creatively, but inexplicably having a change of heart the second time around. So as not to face accusations of hypocrisy or worse, senility; {…}
(Photo: Diana Alvarez) “Carmen” was the most-performed opera in 2024, and I think for one simple reason: audiences absolutely love it. Yes, Bizet’s masterpiece has undeniable artistic merit, and if one looks closely, there’s a decent amount of depth to it. But the truth is, “Carmen” is just fun. I mean, a gypsy, a soldier, and a torero who are {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2025-26 season. New Productions The season opens on a Sunday with Mason Bates and Gene Scheer’s “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay” in its Met Opera premiere. Bartlett Sher directs and Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts a cast starring Lauren Snouffer, Sun-Ly Pierce, Miles Mykkanen, Patrick Carfizzi, Craig Colclough, and Andrzej Filoncyzk. Performance Dates: Sept. {…}
The Florida Grand Opera is set to make operatic history when mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson and her soprano sisters Marina Costa-Jackson and Miriam Costa-Jackson perform together for the first time in a production of “Carmen.” Maria Todaro will direct the production, which will feature Ginger Costa-Jackson in her signature role as Carmen. Her sisters Marina and Miriam will alternate the role {…}
(Photo: Rasmus Jurkatam) From the beginning, Arvo Volmer’s career has been closely tied with the Estonian National Opera, where he was appointed to his first professional post as its assistant conductor in 1985 and where he conducted his first opera, Händel’s “Alcina.” Since then, he has gone on to establish a successful international career, with a string of appointments, including {…}