Carmen, George Bizet’s masterpiece of the gypsy seductress who lives by her own rules has had an impact far beyond the opera house. 

Mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine plays opera’s ultimate seductress, while Roberto Alagna returns to the role of Don José, the good-hearted soldier in whom she unleashes an uncontrollable passion. 

Don José breaks the law, goes to prison, deserts the army and loses everything to be with Carmen. But the capricious gypsy soon tires of him and takes up instead with the bullfighter Escamillo – bass Alexander Vinogradov. She has ruined his life, but still Don José adores her, with a fierceness that can only lead to catastrophe. 

Omer Meir Wellber and Louis Langrée share conducting duties for Sir Richard Eyre’s powerful production, a Metropolitan Opera favourite since its 2009 premiere.

The opera’s melodic sweep is as irresistible as the title character herself, a force of nature who has become a defining female cultural figure. Bizet died just three months after Carmen’s disastrous premiere, never knowing that his creation would become one of the most popular operas of all time.

Carmen (in French with English subtitles) is being screened live at St James Cavalier tomorrow at 6.55pm. Tickets may be obtained online at https://ticketenginex.kreattivita.org/?eventname=MET+LIVE+Carmen