Carmen, sexy and impulsive, taunts the men around her and enjoys their adulation. After attacking another woman she has to use her seduction skills with her guard, Don José, to escape going to prison. Passion between Don José and Carmen, and between Carmen and Escamillo, a celebrated toreador, leads to jealousy, violence and death. Rinat Shaham, with her sublime singing, is the provocative and free-spirited Carmen, while Dymtro Popov portrays Don José with a perfect mix of naivety and desire, his rich tenor rolling out across the harbour. Andrew Jones gives a strong dramatic presence as Escamillo, and Nicole Car, one of Australia’s best young operatic voices, is the sweet Micaëla. Add a superb orchestra and conductor, gritty set design, sumptuous bold costumes, stunning choreography, and the world-class direction of Gale Edwards and Bizet’s glorious opera is brought to life like never before in this Opera Australia production, with the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
