Don’t play with fire.

If desire is the spark of love, then Carmen has ignited a thousand infernos. Opera’s quintessential femme fatale, Carmen shows us she’s that and so much more—a fearless, flirtatious force of nature who refuses to answer to anyone but herself. Her confidence attracts the attention of Don José, whose passion turns to obsession, then spirals into madness. When José threatens Carmen with death should she refuse him, she chooses freedom over all. Featuring some of opera’s best-known melodies, from the sultry “Habanera” to the rousing “Toreador Song,” Carmen is an ageless ode to one woman’s fierce independence.

Carmen  J’Nai Bridges
Don José  Stephen Costello
Escamillo  Christian Pursell
Micaëla  Janai Brugger
Zuniga  Burak Bilgili
El Dancaïro Thomas Dreeze
El Remendado Victor Ryan Robertson

Conductor  Ramón Tebar
Stage Director Omer Ben Seadia
Lighting Designer Thomas C. Hase
Costume Director Rebecca Senske
Wig & Makeup Designer  James Geier
Sound Designer Jonathan Burke
Chorus Master  Henri Venanzi

Featuring the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Opera Chorus