Organization

Chorégies d'Orange

Singer

Mezzo-soprano

Kate Aldrich

Carmen

Soprano

Inva Mula

Michaela

Hélène Guilmette

Frasquita

Marie Karall

Mercedes

Tenor

Jonas Kaufmann

Don José

Baritone

Kyle Ketelsen

Escamillo

Bass

Jean Teitgen

Zuniga

Olivier Grand

Dancaire

Florian Laconi

Remendado

Armando Noguera

Morales

Conductor

Mikko Franck

Stage director

Louis Désiré

Set designer

Costume designer

Lighting designer

Patrick Méeüs

Others

Choeur de l´Opéra Grand Avignon

Nice Opera Choir

Orchestra

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France

Angers Nantes Opéra

Maîtrise des Bouches-du-Rhône

Orange

France

fr.Orange.Théâtre Antique

The ancient Roman Théâtre antique d'Orange serves as a picturesque setting for operas and concert performances every year as part of the Festival Chorégies d'Orange, founded in Provence in 1869. Equipped with almost 7000 seats and unique acoustics, this Roman theater has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
The theater now offers its breathtaking setting for George Bizet's world-renowned romantic drama Carmen. The leading roles are occupied by the spectacular Kate Aldrich, in her signature role as the alluring seductress Carmen, and star tenor Jonas Kaufmann as the troubled and jealous army officer, Don José. "Aldrich makes Carmen magical through her vivacity," writes Opera Today of Aldrich, who is making her festival debut. The rest of the cast is no less outstanding - most notably Inva Mula as Micaëla and Kyle Ketelsen as Escamillo, who wins audiences over with his wit and playfulness.
Mikko Franck conducts the Orchester Philharmonique de Radio France.
Through a successful interplay of direction, stage design and costumes, Louis Désiré creates a naturalistic image of society that ideally corresponds to Bizet's intentions.

Carmen Bizet

Public

Approved

Production booklet

Further reading