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THE ROYAL OPERA
Music Director
Director of Opera
A co-production between The Royal Opera, Teatro Real, Madrid and La Scala, Milan
Exceptional philanthropic support from
Royal Opera House Principals Julia and Hans Rausing
Generous philanthropic support from Sir Mick and Lady Barbara Davis, The Foyle Foundation, David Fransen, Huo Family Foundation, Melinda and Donald Quintin, The Royal Opera House Endowment Fund and an anonymous donor
The Youth Opera Company is generously supported by Yvonne and Bjarne Rieber and The Peters Family Foundation Cio
Young ROH is generously made possible by Sir Lloyd And Lady Dorfman OBE, The Bunting Family, Sir Simon Robey, Tim Ashley and John Booth, The John Browne Charitable Trust and The Laidlaw Opera Trust
Additional kind support from Josh Harris And Layla Nemazee
Carmen
OPÉRA COMIQUE IN FOUR ACTS
31.05.2024 7:00 PM
APPROXIMATE TIMINGS
GUIDANCE
This production contains themes of a sexual nature and violence.
CREDITS
CAST
Soldiers, children, cigarette girls, smugglers
Grisha Martirosyan, Isabela Díaz, Josef Jeongmeen Ahn and Ryan Vaughan Davies are Jette Parker Artists.
Extra Chorus
Sopranos Jennifer Coleman, Kathryn Jenkin, Natasha Page, Eleanor Pennell-Briggs, Alison Rayner, Elizabeth Roberts, Vanessa Woodfine
Mezzo-sopranos Jeanette Ager, Hyacinth Nicholls, Jennifer Westwood
Tenors Phillip Bell, Simon Biazeck, James Geer, Richard Monk
Basses Gavin Horsley, James Quilligan
Actors Ruth Alfie Adams, Marika de Silva, Anna Guzak, Jamie Francis, Sarah Robinson, Suleiman Suleiman, John Craggs
Acting Children
Anastasiya Hristova, Evelyn Rose Rata, Alfie Sharp [5th, 11th, 23rd April | 1st, 12th, 20th, 25th, 29th May]
Toby Higgins, Kendall Nesbitt, Evelyn Rose Rata [8th, 14th, 16th, 26th April | 5th, 17th, 23rd, 31st May]
The Singing Children are members of the Youth Opera Company
SYNOPSIS
ACT I
THE SQUARE OF A SMALL TOWN
Groups of children are playing, while men and soldiers and women gather in the town square. Carmen enters. Only one man, the soldier Don José, seems not to notice her.
In fact, José is disturbed by Carmen, but the arrival of Micaëla, who brings greetings from his distant mother, diverts his thoughts. After Micaëla departs, a quarrel erupts among the women over Carmen’s behaviour. She is arrested, but once left alone with Don José, she seduces him, persuading him to help her escape. Following mild resistance from José, Carmen has her handcuffs removed and she flees.
ACT II
ABOUT A MONTH LATER IN A NIGHTCLUB
Carmen awaits José’s release from prison, where he has been imprisoned for aiding her escape. The smugglers accompanying Carmen want her to join them in the illegal trade of weapons, but she, aware of José’s release and grateful for the freedom he provided, decides to wait for him.
Amid general acclaim, the wealthy and famous bullfighter Escamillo enters. He flaunts his prowess, and after seeing Carmen, seeks to overcome her resistance.
José arrives, and Carmen tries to entice him to leave the army, spurred on by her accomplices. Despite José declaring his love for Carmen, at the sound of the soldiers’ retreat he prepares to return to the barracks. Carmen is greatly disappointed, and when Captain Zuniga arrives, a brawl ensues between him and José, both men desiring to possess Carmen. The smugglers deal with the captain, and José is forced to permanently abandon his uniform and join them.
INTERVAL
ACT III
THE SAME NIGHT
Don José reflects, with guilt and nostalgia, on his mother and the life he has abandoned. Carmen does a tarot card reading. She reveals the card representing death.
Don José violently clashes with Escamillo, who wishes to see Carmen again. But upon hearing about his mother’s imminent death from Micaëla, José decides to go with her, threatening Carmen who challenges him.
ACT IV
A FEW DAYS LATER
After dressing for his bullfight, Escamillo, accompanied by Carmen, is celebrated by the gathering crowd. Friends warn Carmen that Don José is lurking nearby. Carmen is unafraid and asserts her freedom. José kills her.
– Elisa Zaninotto
PRODUCTION CREDITS
André Callegaro is a Jette Parker Artist
THE ROYAL OPERA
Patron
Music Director
Director of Opera
Director of Casting
Administrative Director
DIGITAL CAST SHEETS
We are working hard on our commitment towards becoming more sustainable and are striving for our net zero goal of 2035. By using digital cast sheets and e-tickets, we have reduced our paper consumption by over five tonnes per year. You can view our digital cast sheets on a computer, tablet or smartphone by scanning the QR codes displayed around the building using your smartphone’s camera app. They are also displayed on screens outside the auditoria. Cast sheets are generously supported by the Royal Opera House Endowment Fund.
GUIDELINES
Photography and filming are prohibited during performances in any of our auditoriums. You are welcome to take pictures throughout the rest of the building and before performances and share them with us through social media. Commercial photography and filming must be agreed in advance with our press team.
Larger bags and backpacks need to be check into our complimentary cloakrooms. Unattended bags may be removed.
Please do not place any personal belongings on the ledges in front of you.
Only bottled water and ice cream purchased from the premises can be taken into the auditorium.
If you arrive late to the auditorium or leave during a performance, you will not be allowed back to your seat until the interval or a suitable break.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the premises.
The safety of our visitors, staff and artists is still our priority. To help us provide a comfortable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space.
Our staff are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect and we ask that you show them and your fellow audience members respect too. We adopt a zero-tolerance approach in response to anyone who interacts with our staff or with fellow audience members in an intimidating, aggressive or threatening manner.
SUPPORT OUR ONGOING RECOVERY
We are so glad to welcome our artists back to our theatres to perform for you the opera and ballet you love. During the pandemic we lost £3 in every £5 of our income and we continue to feel the impact as we recover. Sustaining the future of ballet and opera has never been so important. Please consider making a donation to the Royal Opera House community today and help support the future of ballet and opera.