Great Britain

Carmen
Music by Georges Bizet
Text by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
after Prosper Mérimée's novel

Carmen is one of the few indisputable masterpieces of its time to be composed for a small theatre and Glyndebourne provides a heaven-sent backdrop for this sizzling new Peter Hall production. "Bizet's score sounds miraculous in this theatre." Financial Times.

The accent is on stark realism and dramatic intensity in John Bury's carefully detailed and naturalistic sets and costumes. An electrically vivid Carmen is portrayed by Maria Ewing "…a rare combination of gifted singer and outstanding actress." Sunday Telegraph. Bizet's famous Spanish gypsy is matched with the sentimental Don José of Barry MeCauley "…an American tenor of real promise… a thrilling Don José…" Observer. Bizet's famous score, full of such favourites as Habanera, The Flower Song, The Toreador's Song and perhaps the most famous overture of all operas, is under the baton of Glyndebourne Music Director, Bernard Haitink, "The London Philharmonic under Bernard Haitink is honouring every treasurable detail of Bizet's enchanting score…" International Herald Tribune.