- Apr 15
- 3 min read
Carmen de Bizet at l’Opéra de Montréal
2–12 May 2026 for 5 shows
At the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts, Montreal
There is no ‘Opera' without ‘Carmen’
Montreal, QC – April 15th 2026 – The Opéra de Montréal presents Carmen, Georges Bizet’s most frequently performed and beloved opera, conducted by Jean-Marie Zeitouni and accompanied by the Orchestre Métropolitain and staged by Canadian director Anna Theodosakis. The great voices of opera: Rihab Chaieb, Arturo Chacón-Cruz, Magali Simard-Galdès (Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique) and Ethan Vincent will bring to life the memorable characters of this powerful work. This interpretation brings the opera to life in all its beauty, truth, and intensity, starting May 2 for 5 shows at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts in Montreal.
Several artists from the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique are part of the cast, including Dante Mullin Santone, Jamal Al Titi and Tessa Fackelmann, alongside graduates now performing on opera stages, such as Emma Fekete, Magali Simard-Gadès and Stephen Hegedus.
A grand-scale production bringing together nearly 150 performers: 10 soloists, 63 musicians, 48 choristers, 6 dancers, 4 extras and 18 children in the choir.
To buy tickets, please visit : https://operademontreal.com/programmes/carmen
Synopsis
In the bustling streets of Seville, the free-spirited and indomitable Carmen captivates everyone who crosses her path. When she catches the eye of the soldier Don José, he gradually abandons his duty and his former life for her. But Carmen’s independence and her refusal to submit stir up a devastating jealousy in him that will lead to a tragic outcome: the murder of the heroine.
"Carmen combines two of my loves: opera and flamenco. In this production, I am integrating traditional flamenco elements into both the choreography and staging to support the intensity of the characters and the passion of the music. The themes of femicide and domestic violence are very important to me. Above all, I want to highlight Carmen's strength and autonomy. The themes of femicide and domestic violence are very important to me. Carmen never lies and she constantly tells Don José that all she wants is her freedom." - Anna Theodosakis, stage director
“Carmen, again and forever!
This production of Bizet’s masterpiece marks the company’s seventh staging of this essential opera; inevitably, we will once again fall under the spell of the beautiful gypsy.
Carmen embodies the woman who asserts her independence in a society dominated by patriarchal norms; her refusal to belong to anyone makes her a surprisingly modern figure.
Carmen can thus be reinterpreted not as a romantic tragedy, but as an analysis and critique of the mechanisms of emotion. Far from being stuck in the past, this cornerstone of the repertoire inevitably regains its relevance through the power of its human themes.
Each new production offers an opportunity to reinterpret this elusive character in the light of our present day, inviting the audience to reflect anew on freedom, love and violence.
Enjoy the performance!” – Michel Beaulac, Artistic Director – Famille Zhao-Ionescu
Discover CARMEN with Pierre Vachon, musicologist at the Opéra de Montréal :
Distribution :
Carmen: Rihab Chaieb
Don José: Arturo Chacón-Cruz
Escamillo: Ethan Vincent
Micaëla: Magali Simard-Galdès*
Zuniga: Stephen Hegedus*
Morales: Dante Mullin Santone*
Le Dancaïre: Jamal Al Titi*
Mercédès: Tessa Fackelmann*
Frasquita: Emma Fekete*
Le Remendado: Rocco Rupolo*
* Graduate of the Opéra de Montréal’s Atelier lyrique
Creative team
Musical Director / Conductor: Jean-Marie Zeitouni
Director: Anna Theodosakis
Assistant Director: Mabel Wonnacott
Scenery Designer: Camellia Koo
Costume Design: Edmonton Opera
Lighting Design: David Fraser
Chorus Master: Claude Webster
Orchestra: Orchestre Métropolitain
Chorus: Chœur de l’Opéra de Montréal
Production: Edmonton Opera – Original staging: Maria Lamont
Performance dates:
· May 2 2026– Montreal PREMIERE
· May 5 2026
· May 7 2026
· May 10 2026
· May 12 2026
ABOUT L’OPÉRA DE MONTRÉAL
Deeply rooted in Montréal, at the crossroads of North American and European cultures, the Opéra de Montréal acts as a catalyst for the city’s artistic creativity and celebrates the rich vocal heritage of Québec and Canada, bringing opera to life in all its splendour. From the great classics of the operatic repertoire to new works from here and abroad, through its training programme for Canada’s finest young singers and its strong commitment to the community and education, the Opéra de Montréal presents memorable operatic events, where everyone is welcomed with warmth and kindness.
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Source: L'Opéra de Montréal
For more information :
Lyne Dutremble | annexe | lyne@annexe.media
Et/ou Maryse Bouchard | annexe | maryse@annexe.media
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