“Carmen” by Georges Bizet, one of the most famous operas of all time, returns to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera of New York (MET) in a new exciting production, which is broadcast on tape on Saturday, February 3 (19:55) at the Athens Concert Hall (with Greek subtitles).

The direction is signed by the internationally acclaimed Carrie Cracknell who, with the most popular lyric work of the great French composer, makes her debut at the MET, as does the star of the show, Aigul Akmechina, one of the most dazzling mezzo-sopranos of the new generation.

In the role of her lover, Don José, the acclaimed tenor Piotr Beczala, who made an excellent impression on the MET audience with his performances of Giordano’s Fedora and Wagner’s Lohengrin last year. The brilliant four-star cast of “Carmen” is completed by two excellent American lyric singers, the soprano Angel Blue who embodies the faithful Michaela and the basso-baritone Kyle Ketelsen who interprets the role of the arrogant bullfighter Escamijo. The sets of “Carmen” were designed by Michael Levine, and the costumes by Tom Scott. Italian conductor Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s famous masterpiece, which includes two of the most famous arias in the lyric repertoire: “Habanera” and “Song of the Bullfighter”.

A classic story through a modern directorial approach

“Carmen” was performed for the first time in 1845 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris with a libretto by Henri Maillac and Ludovic Alevy, inspired by the novel of the same name by the French writer Prosper Merimet. Since then, Georges Bizet’s irresistibly explosive protagonist has conquered several generations of viewers, while she continues to fascinate younger audiences thanks to the recognizable melodies she sings, as well as her unruly and passionate personality.

In her own directorial “reading”, the Englishwoman Carrie Cracknell, known to the Greek public mainly from her regular collaboration with the National Theater of Britain in the context of NTLIVE broadcasts, transfers the action of “Carmen” to today, presenting with a modern eye a classic story. It boldly penetrates its dramatic core and pulls out from its depths issues that are absolutely relevant in our time: gender violence, abusive work relationships, the individual’s desire to break social bonds.

Ticket prices: from 8 to 25 euros.