About

AUSTIN OPERA PRESENTS:

CARMEN

MAY 2, 4 & 5 | The Long Center

Arguably the sexiest role in opera, Carmen is a beautiful, free-spirited woman all too aware of her carnal allure, and yet, she despises any man who falls for her. When her mild flirtation with a soldier, Don José, ignites his flaming desire, Carmen rejects him for the famous bullfighter, Escamillo. José’s childhood sweetheart, Micaëla, visits on the pretext of persuading him to return home to his elderly mother, but she arrives just too late. José only has eyes for Carmen. His fate—and Carmen’s—has already been sealed. As José’s love degenerates into morbid obsession, Carmen must soon face the consequences of her need for freedom.

Georges Bizet’s score creates a lush and emotionally charged setting for this tragic story, which includes two of opera’s most iconic and instantly recognizable arias, in the Habanera and the Toreador’s March. Sadly, Bizet died within three months of Carmen’s 1875 premiere—meaning he never knew that he had written what would become one of the most popular operas in the repertoire.

Seville’s ultimate temptress will be sung by Virginie Verrez. Flashy bullfighter, Escamillo, will be sung by bass-baritone Seth Carico, making his house and role debut in a rare return to the US from his base in Germany. The tragedy is led by three artists making Austin Opera debuts. Austin Opera’s Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director, Timothy Myers, will conduct.

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Event Details

• Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024 | Saturday, May 4, 2024 & Sunday, May 5, 2024
• Time: Thursday & Saturday: 7:30 P.M. | Sunday: 2:00 P.M.
• Venue: The Long Center
• Website: https://austinopera.org/opera/carmen/

Ticket Information

• Cost: $15.00 - $139.00

Presenter Details

• Name: Austin Opera

Austin Opera, voted “Opera Company of the Year” for 2020 in a national BroadwayWorld.com poll, engages 35,000 community members annually through three mainstage productions, an innovative Opera ATX experience, an online digital series, as well as a diverse slate of community and educational programming. 

Serving Central Texas since 1986, Austin Opera inspires audiences with its trademark blend of innovation and artistic excellence. With the leadership of General Director & CEO Annie Burridge and the Sarah and Ernest Butler Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor Timothy Myers, Austin Opera presents a curated season of grand opera productions at the Long Center, the crown jewel of Austin performing arts venues. Combining the finest American and international stars with the outstanding local talent of our Orchestra and Chorus, Austin Opera’s productions include accessible takes on classic operas as well as challenging new works that reinforce the continuing relevance of opera.

Opera ATX, powered by Austin Opera, brings groundbreaking new works, emerging artists, exciting composers, and dynamic directors to Austin. By tapping into our city’s live music DNA, Opera ATX reflects the spirit of the city and the pioneering image it’s known for. We create the conditions for operatic experiences completely new to Austin, and perhaps completely new to the art form, by exploring alternative venues and unique local partnerships. Driven by Austin Opera’s love of opera, love of audiences, and love of Austin, Opera ATX shows how Austin is shaping its opera company and inspiring innovative experiences.

Austin Opera is also a force in hundreds of classrooms across Central Texas, nurturing the next generation of opera audiences through its award-winning education programs. We work directly with educators, community leaders, students, and parents to make opera relevant, educational, and entertaining for students of all ages, offering much of our educational content online for free.

Venue Details