Royal Opera

Carmen

In Cinemas 12, 13 & 16 Dec 2026
Conductor
Sesto Quatrini
Orchestra
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Cast
Ginger Costa-Jackson (Carmen), Russell Thomas (Don José), Adriana González (Micaëla), Alexander Vinogradov (Escamillo), Barnaby Rea (Zuniga)
Composer
Georges Bizet
Director
Damiano Michieletto
Set Design
Paolo Fantin
Duration
approx. 3h35 including an interval
Sung in French, with English subtitles.
Captured live from Covent Garden, London 10 Nov 2026
Official Event Listing

Opera in four acts (1875)

Under the oppressive heat of the Spanish sun, the fiercely independent Carmen attracts the attention of Don José. She warns him not to fall in love with her, but his obsession knows no bounds. 

Damiano Michieletto’s searing production returns, casting scorching light on the lust, violence and destructive desire of Bizet’s ever-popular opera. An all-star cast brings this white-hot drama to life, with Ginger Costa-Jackson in the fiery title role, alongside Russell Thomas as the jealous and despairing Don José.

Following his 2023 Royal Opera debut, Sesto Quatrini returns to conduct Bizet’s electrifying and sensual score.

Royal Opera

The Royal Opera is one of the world’s leading opera companies. Based in London’s iconic Royal Opera House (1858) in Covent Garden, it is renowned both for its outstanding performances of traditional opera and for commissioning new works by today’s leading opera composers, such as Harrison Birtwistle, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Thomas Adès.

See more productions from: Royal Ballet and Opera