Opera Columbus will open its 2023-24 season with Bizet’s “Carmen.”

The production will be performed at the Southern Theatre stage on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 alongside the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

The new production will be directed by 2022-2023 Crane Directing Fellow Sarah Dahnke and will be conducted by Dr. Everett McCorvey.

In a statement, Dahnke said, “The way ‘Carmen’s’ themes speak to the current cultural moment really highlights how timeless so many of these issues are. But now, we’re able to talk more openly about things like sexual freedom, class systems and social hierarchy, and intimate partner violence. Using opera as a way of helping people to think critically about these significant issues can only inspire even more conversation in the public sector.”

Tesia Kwarteng will lead the cast as Carmen, with Adam Diegel as Don José, Richard Ollarsaba as Escamillo, and Hannah Bullock as Micaela.