Carmen opens Saturday, March 11

View Carmen images here

CHICAGO (3/10/2023) – Opera’s legendary femme fatale returns to Lyric Opera of Chicago with Bizet’s Carmen — March 11 to April 7, 2023. Featuring iconic music that is instantly recognizable even for those new to the art form, Carmen has long been one of the world's favorite operas.

Carmen stars J’Nai Bridges, a leading interpreter of the famous title role and an alumna of Lyric's Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. The star studded cast also features Lyric favorite Charles Castronovo as Don José, Golda Schultz in her Lyric debut as Micaëla, and Andrei Kymach in his Lyric debut as Escamillo.

The Lyric Opera Orchestra is led by accomplished conductor Henrik Nánási and the production is directed by Marie Lambert-Le Bihan, with choreography by Chicago-based dance artist Stephanie Martinez.

Carmen is irresistible from the first note of the electrifying prelude right to the end of the devastating finale. Get ready for the biggest operatic sensation of the season — only at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

View Carmen images here

A high-resolution video trailer will be available soon on Lyric's YouTube channel.

Read the Carmen digital program book and listen to a pre-opera talk.

Performance dates for Carmen are March 11, 15 (matinee), 19 (matinee), 22, 25, 30 (matinee), April 2 (matinee), and 7. All performances take place at the Lyric Opera House, 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago.

Carmen is sung in French, with easy-to-follow English translations projected above the stage.

Running time is 3 hours and 25 minutes, including two intermissions.

For tickets and information, call 312.827.5600 or go to lyricopera.org/carmen.

Lyric's presentation of Bizet's Carmen is generously made possible by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Liz Stiffel, and the Lauter McDougal Charitable Fund.

Lyric Opera's Season is presented by

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists—magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.

Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.

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For more information on Lyric's upcoming 2024/25 Season, visit lyricopera.org/newseason.