Carmen
The most popular French opera in the world comes to the International Festival direct from Opéra-Comique – the Parisian opera house where it all began.
About Carmen
UK PRODUCTION PREMIERE
Carmen’s independent heroine, striking Spanish style and unforgettable melodies have permeated popular culture ever since its premiere in 1875.
Opéra-Comique’s new production of Georges Bizet's masterpiece is brought to the stage by conductor Louis Langrée and director Andreas Homoki. This is a classic tale of love, passion and jealousy, following the soldier Don José’s dramatic fall from grace as he meets the free-spirited Carmen.
The score remains true to Bizet’s original vision, with musical pieces interspersed with dialogue, emphasising the comedic elements of the opera. Homoki also weaves in the history of the opera itself, from its scandalous premiere to its accumulating popularity over the following 149 years.
Mezzo soprano Gaëlle Arquez leads as Carmen, a role which she has perfected in international opera houses since 2017. She performs alongside Albanian tenor Saimir Pirgu as Don José, Carmen’s villainous lover. The international cast is joined by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Louis Langrée, Music Director of the Opéra-Comique.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Festival Theatre Edinburgh or Edinburgh International Festival
Rebus: A Game Called Malice
Transferring John Rebus' maverick detective skills to the stage, this suspense-filled play finds the iconic sleuth uncovering disturbing truths during a murder mystery game!
READ MORE
CBeebies Panto: Beauty and the Beast
The CBeebies Panto returns to Festival Theatre featuring a host of CBeebies’ stars - and some new faces too with lots of singing, dancing and laughs for all the family!
READ MORE
A Chorus Line
Celebrate the lives of theatre’s unsung heroes, as they tell searing stories of ambition, shattered hopes, and what it really costs to follow your dreams.
READ MORE
Rambert’s Peaky Blinders
Rambert’s thrilling stage adaptation The Redemption of Thomas Shelby returns to Edinburgh, capturing the Peaky story, with stunning performances from Rambert’s dancers and an iconic soundtrack!
READ MORE
Dr. Louise Newson: Hormones & Menopause - The Great Debate
Dr Louise Newson, the leading medical expert on menopause and hormones, brings her inaugural UK theatre tour, accompanied by Dublin-based comedian Anne Gildea, to the Festival Theatre on 7th October.
READ MORE
Blue Man Group
The theatrical phenomenon 'Blue Man Group' returns to the UK bringing its award-winning Bluevolution World Tour and comes to the Festival Theatre in October!
READ MORE
Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells: 50th Anniversary Tour
Conducted and arranged by Oldfield's long-term collaborator Robin Smith, this show will see the iconic Tubular Bells performed in full, as well as other works by Mike Oldfield!
READ MORE
Carrie Hope Fletcher
Award-winning West End sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher is heading out on a brand-new UK tour in 2024, don't miss her live at the Festival Theatre on Tuesday 15th October!
READ MORE
Ocean Film Festival
The Ocean Film Festival returns to the Festival Theatre with a brand new selection of the world’s most incredible ocean films!
READ MORE
Qudus Onikeku/The Q Dance Company - Re:incarnation
An ode to the richness of Nigerian culture, this dance, music, fashion and visual art creation showcases the depth of ancient Yoruba philosophy mixed with Nigerian youth culture.
READ MORE
Ed Gamble: Hot Diggity Dog
Ed Gamble has minced a load of meat (thoughts), piped it into a casing (show) and it's coming to a bun (venue) near you! Catch him at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh on Sunday 20th October!
READ MORE
Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie's classic Murder on the Orient Express gets a thrilling new stage adaptation. Can Poirot solve the mystery before the final stop? Find out when the show comes to Edinburgh in October!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Gang Show
The Edinburgh Gang Show returns to the Festival Theatre in November 2024 for another brilliant week of making memories and bringing joy to Edinburgh!
READ MORE
The Horne Section’s Hit Show
The six-headed comedy band includes five outstanding musicians and one non-musical stand-up. Expect comedy, songs, enthusiastic dancing, and a lot of mucking about!
READ MORE
Scottish Opera - Don Pasquale
Follow the exploits of Don Pasquale in this riotous new version of Donizetti's classic comic opera when Scottish Opera return to the Festival Theatre in November!
READ MORE
Scottish Opera - Albert Herring
One of the 20th century's most beloved operatic comedies, Albert Herring is Britten's loose adaptation of a Guy de Maupassant short story, full of quirky yet loveable characters and 1980s nostalgia.
READ MORE
Scottish Opera - Access Don Pasquale
Scottish Opera's accessible afternoon performances make coming to a favourite opera as easy and stress-free as possible – keeping the drama on stage where it belongs!
READ MORE
Cinderella
Join returning panto favourites Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young with a new magical pantomime for all the family at the Festival Theatre!
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker
This winter, banish the dark skies and enjoy a visual feast as we take you and your family on a fantastical adventure with Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker!
READ MORE
Mary Poppins
Direct from the West End, the classic multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins comes to the Festival Theatre from 12th January!
READ MORE
Scottish Opera - The Makropulos Affair
Hailed as an unmissable triumph and nominated for a 2022 Southbank Sky Arts Award, this co-production of Janáček’s mature masterpiece, The Makropulos Affair, returns to Scottish Opera!
READ MORE
Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical
The Bohemians are heading to the Festival Theatre to bring you their 2025 production 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert - The Musical'.
READ MORE
Ghost Stories
Enter a world full of thrilling twists and epic turns, where the ultimate love-letter to horror is imagined live on stage!
READ MORE
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Matthew Bourne’s audacious, rule-breaking reinvention of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece has now become the most successful dance theatre production of all time. Catch it at the Festival Theatre in April!
READ MORE
Calamity Jane
The whip crackin' musical classic Calamity Jane is coming to the Festival Theatre Edinburgh in 2025, starring multi-award-winning West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher!
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet: The Crucible
Scottish Ballet return to the Festival Theatre in May with Arthur Miller's drama of power and persecution, The Crucible!
READ MORE
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as the West End smash-hit production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe comes to the Festival Theatre in May 2025.
READ MORE
The Australian Bee Gees Show
Having performed to over 1 million people in sold out theatres and concert halls across the globe, The Australian Bee Gees Show is coming to the Festival Theatre on Sunday 18th May!
READ MORE
The Ultimate Classic Rock Show
Dust off your air guitars for The Ultimate Classic Rock Show, an evening of the very best Classic Rock anthems from legends past and present at the Festival Theatre!
READ MORE
Scottish Opera - The Merry Widow
Scottish Opera Director John Savournin brings his joyful touch to Lehár's waltz-filled charmer The Merry Widow at the Festival Theatre!
READ MORE
Scottish Opera - Trial by Jury
With a comic cast performing contrasting roles in both pieces, Trial by Jury / A Matter of Misconduct! promises an unmissable night of classic G&S comedy and new writing!
READ MORE
Quadrophenia, A Mod Ballet
Prepare to be blown away as the power of dance brings a whole new dimension to the raw energy and emotion of one of the UK’s most iconic rock albums!
READ MORE
Sponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Stand Up Horror
Actor, writer and tour guide Alex Staniforth invents a horror story every night. You decide what the characters do, find and sometimes - yes sometimes - even love!
READ MORE
Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret
Scotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
READ MORE
Paranormal Illusionist: Ghosts of the Banshee
Are you brave enough to attend an unsettling night of magic and ghosts in the Banshee Labyrinth - Scotland's Most Haunted Pub - built into the legendary South Bridge Vaults.
READ MORE
Haunted Haus
Get ready for a haunting so fabulous you'll die from excitement! The Spooktacular 'Haunted Haus' is back to terrorize Banshee Labyrinth!
READ MORE
In the Mood
Immerse yourself in the timeless music of Glenn Miller and the music of fabulous forties with the record-breaking big band Jon Ritchie & That Swing Sensation at the Howden Park Centre!
READ MORE
Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer
Don't miss Sarah Millican when she brings her new show 'Late Bloomer' to Edinburgh Playhouse on Friday 13th September 2024!
READ MORE
The Choriza May Show
Fresh from their appearance on BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK VS The World, Choriza May hits the road with their first ever solo theatre show extravaganza and brings it to the Traverse Theatre!
READ MORE
Queen by Candlelight
Queen By Candlelight returns to The Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh on Saturday 14th September 2024.
READ MORE
Artie’s Singing Kettle – Greatest Hits
Artie is bringing the original Singing Kettles packed full of clues to his Greatest Hits show to Church Hill Theatre on 15th September!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links