Arguably the most popular opera in the world, Carmen scandalised its earliest audiences with its raw depiction of lust among the low-lifes of 19th century Seville.

Calixto Bieito’s hugely popular production, which has already been seen by audiences across Europe and South America, rejects the opera’s traditional touristic trappings and presents it instead as a full-on battle of the sexes, fought out in the near-mythic arena of a symbolic Spanish bullring.

Romanian mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose makes her ENO debut as the gypsy temptress, with tenor Adam Diegel as Don José, a role he has sung to acclaim many times in the USA. Joining them are British baritone Leigh Melrose as Escamillo, the matador, and rising star soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn, who returns to ENO following her 2010 debut as Mimì in La Bohème.

Learn more about London operas within the West End.