Carmen – Toreador Song (Bizet; Kostas Smoriginas, The Royal Opera)

Find out more: Kostas Smoriginas as Escamillio in Barrie Kosky’s Royal Opera production of Bizet’s masterpiece. Award-winning director Barrie Kosky provides a refreshing perspective on this well-known opera. He explores Carmen’s ever-changing nature – marked by her series of contrasting costumes – and her vitality through dance. The pre-recorded voice of a narrator (perhaps Carmen herself) ensures that we experience the whole story from her perspective, and the production’s unique performing edition (by Michael Rot) offers a chance for audience members to hear music Bizet omitted from the opera’s first performances. Carmen had only lukewarm success at its 1875 premiere - perhaps due to its unconventional subject – but soon became immensely popular, and has remained so. Its glorious score boasts a host of wonderful melodies, including Carmen’s sensual Habanera and Seguidilla, Don José’s tender F