Passion Ignites: Royal Opera House’s Carmen Sets Stage Ablaze with Explosive New Production

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Between 1875 and 2025, Georges Bizet’s Carmen continues to captivate audiences; Damiano Michieletto’s rendition of Carmen is once again gracing The Royal Opera House, and true to the original, you can anticipate a display of passion, desire, and aggression.

On the opening night, I was privileged to witness Carmen at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Among the productions frequently staged there, Bizet’s Carmen ranks second only to La Bohème, with more than 600 performances under its belt.

One of the most renowned operas globally, Carmen, unfolds in a secluded Spanish village where its titular character boldly warns that any man she falls for should fear her retribution. Yet, even our main character finds herself taken aback by the chain of events set in motion when she entices police officer Don José, and his jealousy looms ominously over their tumultuous relationship…

In this captivating performance at The Royal Opera House, I find myself once again enchanted by the spellbinding mezzo-soprano, Aigul Akhmetshin, as she embodies the fiery spirit of Carmen. Her renditions of iconic numbers like Carmen’s Habanera ignite passion within the theater. Similarly, Yaritza Véliz breathes life into Micaëla, the forlorn lover of Don José, delivering performances that tug at our heartstrings.

Véliz, a graduate from The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme, boasts an impressive career and will captivate audiences in the upcoming Jette Parker Artists Summer Performance. In the role of Micaëla, she conveys an intense longing for Don José to reconnect with his ailing mother, whom he has allegedly been forgiven by. The desperation in Micaëla’s actions clashes starkly with the spectral presence of Don José’s mother on stage, who appears bewildered and distraught by her son’s troubles.

In this rendition, Tenor Freddie De Tommaso steps into the part once played by Don José. De Tommaso delivers a captivating performance as Carmen’s possessive suitor, and his powerful singing garnered some of the loudest applause during the entire production. Yet, we found ourselves questioning why Carmen was attracted to Don José, considering it seemed rather effortless for him to develop feelings for her. This leads us to ponder what sets him apart from the other men vying for her affection in the plaza. It’s unlikely that he won her heart through acts of kindness, as she didn’t appear to be swayed by favors done for her.

Besides the principal characters, Carmen also includes a pack of kids who serve as spectators in the square, using title cards to announce the subsequent acts. Although it’s delightful to see them, the presence of these children seemed somewhat incongruous with the dark and sometimes threatening narrative of Carmen.

Carmen’s performance was outstanding, largely due to the skillful direction of conductor Mark Elder; the rhythm and tempo were exceptional, providing ample opportunities for singers to catch their breath in more dramatic scenes and allowing faster sequences to flow smoothly. I even ventured to the front of The Royal Opera House to peek into the orchestra pit, an experience I’d highly suggest if you haven’t had it yet!

The stage design truly captured my heart; its contemporary lighting and arrangement gave a fresh feel, yet it skillfully preserved the authentic ambiance of old Southern Spain for Carmen.

When and where is Carmen showing in London?

Like a lot of operas, you only have a limited time to catch Carmen at The Royal Opera House.

From the 9th of April through the 15th of April, 2025, you can catch the performance of Carmen at London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

How to get The Royal Opera House Carmen tickets

Tickets to see Carmen are on sale right now at TodayTix, and tickets will set you back £60.

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2025-04-11 17:09