Carmen | Scottish Opera

Bizet

Carmen

New production

Theatre Royal Glasgow:
12, 16, 18 & 20 May 2023 (Evenings, 7.15pm)
14 May 2023 (Matinee, 3pm)

Eden Court, Inverness:
23, 25 & 27 May 2023 (Evenings, 7.15pm)

His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen:
1 & 3 June 2023 (Evenings, 7.15pm)

Festival Theatre Edinburgh:
9, 13, 15 & 17 June 2023 (Evenings, 7.15pm)
11 June 2023 (Matinee, 3pm)

Georges Bizet’s classic opera of jealousy, lust, and life outside the dictates of society gets a boldly updated new production to conclude Scottish Opera’s 60th Season.

With such hit melodies as the Habanera, Flower Aria, and Toreador Song – alongside Bizet’s magnificent orchestral interludes and rousing chorus numbers – the opera has musical riches for all.

‘Director John Fulljames’ version is a stunning, constantly surprising spectacle’
— The Skinny on Nixon in China 2020

But Carmen is not merely one show-stopping number after another. With director John Fulljames (Nixon in China 2020) at the helm and a design team led by Sarah Beaton and Christina Cunningham, Carmen’s iconic images are delivered amidst the unrest and upheavals of 1970s Spain, where the investigation into Carmen’s murder runs alongside the systems that led to her death. Carmen is the eternal outsider, carving out a life by her own rules in a militaristic and patriarchal society. The contrast of an often buoyant score and much crowd-driven action with the libretto’s introspective psychological darkness – here thrown into greater prominence in an English translation – makes Carmen an endlessly fascinating work.

With Justina Gringyte in the title role and featuring four of Scottish Opera’s 22/23 Emerging Artists – Zoe Drummond, Lea Shaw, Osian Wyn Bowen, and Colin Murray – Carmen tours to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Aberdeen, ensuring many chances to see the Company’s timely take on this timeless masterpiece.

This production includes images of dead bulls and crime scenes, and themes of violence including police brutality, domestic violence, and sexual assault.

Kindly supported by The Scottish Opera Syndicate

Show Details

Running time:
Approximately 2 hours and 45 mins including a 20-minute interval.

Language:
Sung in English with English supertitles.
Translation by Christopher Cowell.

Access:
Audio-described performances>>
Recorded audio introduction available>>
Shorter, relaxed/Dementia Friendly performances>>
Find out about access in all venues >>

Ticket price:
From £21 to £92.50 – prices vary by venue

Concessions:
£10 tickets for Under 26s >>
Concessions vary by venue

What the press said

★★★★ The Stage

‘beautifully performed in every musical aspect’
‘the principals are never less than shimmering’

★★★★ The List

‘The chorus was on sparkling form as usual, and the orchestra, under conductor Dane Lam, fizzed with fiery passion.’

The Spectator

'The audience in Glasgow appeared gripped, and Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh are in for a thoroughly entertaining night when it goes on tour.'

★★★★★ Inverness Courier

'John Fulljames' setting of this most beloved of opera's sets fire to the imagination'

★★★★ The Telegraph

‘Gringyte and Kumar are superb throughout’
‘a strong and inventive Carmen which is bound to wow audiences throughout Scotland’
‘the orchestra plays Bizet’s remarkable score with a delicate, sensitive freshness and, when required, an invigorating heft’

★★★★ Bachtrack

‘A fine end to Scottish Opera’s 60th birthday season’

The National

'A strong and affecting Carmen'

Cast & Creatives

Carmen
Justina Gringyte

Don José
Alok Kumar

Escamillo
Phillip Rhodes

Micaëla
Hye-Youn Lee

Zuniga
Thomas D Hopkinson

Le Dancaïre
Colin Murray

Le Remendado
Osian Wyn Bowen

Moralès
Dan Shelvey

Frasquita
Zoe Drummond

Mercédès
Lea Shaw

Investigator
Carmen Pieraccini

Conductor
Dane Lam

Assistant Conductor
Toby Hession
Conductor – 23, 25 May in Inverness

Chorus Director
Susannah Wapshott

Repetiteur
Fiona MacSherry; Kristina Yorgova

Director
John Fulljames

Set Designer
Sarah Beaton

Costume Designer
Christina Cunningham

Lighting Designer
James Farncombe

Projection Designer
Will Duke

Movement Director
Jenny Ogilvie

Assistant Director
Roxana Haines

Watch

Carmen Investigated - with crime author Francine Toon | Carmen 2023

Trailer | Carmen 2023

Teaser | Carmen 2023

On the stage

(l to r) Lea Shaw (Mercédès), Justina Gringytė (Carmen) and Zoe Drummond (Frasquita). Scottish Opera 2023

Hye-Youn Lee (Micaëla), Alok Kumar (Don José) and Carmen Pieraccini (Investigator) in Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop

The Chorus of Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop.

Alok Kumar (Don José) and Dan Shelvey (Moralès) in Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop

The Chorus of Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023

Justina Gringytė (Carmen) and Alok Kumar (Don José) in Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023

Alok Kumar (Don José) and Carmen Pieraccini (Investigator) in Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop

Phillip Rhodes (Escamillo) in Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop

Justina Gringytė (Carmen) in Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop

(l to r) Zoe Drummond (Frasquita), Justina Gringytė (Carmen), Alok Kumar (Don José) and Lea Shaw (Mercédès) in Carmen. Scottish Opera 2023. Credit James Glossop