Georges Bizet CARMEN

Aigul Akhmetshina stars in the title role of Carmen in Carrie Cracknell’s production that moves the action to the modern day.

An undeniable classic of the repertoire, Bizet’s charged masterpiece Carmen received a modern-day reimagining during the 2023–24 season, when director Carrie Cracknell made her Met debut with a bold new staging that updated the action to the present day and explores themes that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labor structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries. In this production, rising mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina gives a fearless performance of the title role, combining vocal power with dynamic physicality. Opposite her, tenor Piotr Beczala is Don José, the wayward soldier whose obsession spells doom for them both, with soprano Angel Blue as the steadfast Micaëla and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo. Maestro Daniele Rustioni conducts one of the opera world’s most popular scores, which includes one instantly recognisable melody after another.

"A daring new production of Carmen takes flight… Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina made a magnetic Carmen… A restless physicality that never cut into her singing… A Carmen that felt alive.” (The Washington Post)

"Akhmetshina has an ideal voice for Carmen!" (Financial Times)

Production year 2024
Production Company The Metropolitan Opera
Composer Georges Bizet
Orchestra / Band The Metropolitan Opera
Conductor Daniele Rustioni
Stage Director Carrie Cracknell
Soloists Aigul Akhmetshina, Angel Blue, Piotr Beczala, Kyle Ketelsen