Carmen: cancelled

PLEASE NOTE: This event has been cancelled due to the government ban on mass gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Italian mezzo-soprano Veronica Simeoni is making her Opera Australia debut in this fast-paced and brightly colourful production. Director John Bell, Australia's godfather of Shakespeare, created this production two years ago, transporting the action from Spain to Cuba. It features eclectic choreography by Kelley Abbey that picks up on the rhythms of the score and even incorporates break-dancing.

Simeoni will be crooning Bizet's enduring melodies opposite tenor Roberto Aronica, who plays Don Jose. Later in the season Sian Sharp and Carmen Topciu take over the title role.

Read our review of the production's 2017 Melbourne season.