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Bizet
CarmenNew 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.
Kindly supported by The Scottish Opera Syndicate
Show Details
Running time:
Approximately 3 hours including a 20-minute interval.
Language:
Sung in English with English supertitles.
Translation by Christopher Cowell.
Access:
Audio-described performances available >>
Shorter, relaxed/Dementia Friendly performances in all venues >>
Ticket price:
From £21 to £92.50 – prices vary by venue
Concessions:
£10 tickets for Under 26s >>
Concessions vary by venue
Cast & Creatives
Carmen
Justina Gringyte
Escamillo
Phillip Rhodes
Micaëla
Hye-Youn Lee
Le Dancaïre
Colin Murray
Le Remendado
Osian Wyn Bowen
Moralès
Dan Shelvey
Frasquita
Zoe Drummond
Mercédès
Lea Shaw
Conductor
Dane Lam
Director
John Fulljames
Set & Prop Designer
Sarah Beaton
Costume Designer
Christina Cunningham
Lighting Designer
James Farncombe
Video Designer
Will Duke
Movement Director
Jenny Ogilvie
Related events

Pre-show talk: Carmen
Get closer to the action and see into the minds of the creatives behind the production

Access Carmen
BizetSpecially created for those who enjoy a more relaxed opera experience

Carmen Touch Tours
Audio-described performances
For those who are visually impaired, this service provides live commentary during full-length performances, describing the action on stage without compromising the music. As part of the experience, a recorded introduction to the opera is provided in advance. At select performances there is a free Touch Tour of the set and a live audio introduction before the start of the performance.
Please note that unfortunately, we are not able to run Touch Tours for Don Giovanni on this occasion.
Audio Described
Theatre Royal Glasgow
Sat 20 May, 7.15pm
Eden Court, Inverness
Sat 27 May, 7.15pm
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Sat 3 Jun, 7.15pm
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh
Sat 17 Jun, 7.15pm
Call your local box office to book, or book online. Discounts available. Guide dogs are welcome. Find out more
Season 2022/23
View all
Don Giovanni
Mozart
Candide
Bernstein
Ainadamar
Osvaldo Golijov