Carmen Tickets
Opens 29th October
Olivier Award winner Damiano Michieletto’s sizzling modernist version of Bizet's Carmen returns to London.
Carmen in London
Jealousy, passion and tragedy collide in Olivier winner Damiano Michieletto’s sizzling modernist revival of Carmen at the Royal Opera House, just a short walk from Covent Garden. This “electrifying” (Guardian) production of Bizet’s classic opera explores desire, consequence and one woman's struggle for freedom. Don’t miss the hottest opera of the season - secure your tickets to this sizzling show today.
What Is the Opera Carmen About?
Passionate, free-spirited seductress Carmen believes that any man she entices should beware. But when she turns her sights on Don José, the initially uninterested police officer soon falls hard, abandoning his duties and fiancée to be with Carmen. Carmen's affections soon cool, and she becomes enamoured instead with Escamillo, a charismatic and celebrated bullfighter. Unable to accept Carmen’s spurning, Don José's jealousy, obsession and despair threaten to lead to an explosive conclusion.
The History of Carmen
Premiering in 1875, Carmen was groundbreaking for its time with its portrayal of Carmen as a strong, independent woman who refuses to play by society's rules, and scandalised the audience upon its first performances at the Opera Comique in Paris. Despite this, the opera soon became a huge success - sadly, Bizet died suddenly after the 33rd performance and did not live to see the work's stratospheric rise. Carmen is now one of the most frequently performed and much-loved pieces in the operatic canon. Damiano Michieletto’s acclaimed production first premiered at the ROH in 2024, also returning in 2025. Now audiences have another chance to witness this white-hot, modern take on the classic, for a strictly limited season.
The Creative Team Of Carmen
Carmen is composed by Georges Bizet, with a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée. Olivier winner Damiano Michieletto (Pagliacci, Cavalleria rusticana) directs, with conducting by Sesto Quatrini (L’italiana in Algeri, Manon).
Book Tickets for Carmen at the Royal Opera House!
Feel the flames of passion with this scintillating revival - Damiano Michielletto’s Carmen is “a veritable triumph” (OperaWire). Filled with Mediterranean heat, burning passion, and deeply affecting drama, along with Bizet’s unparalleled score, Carmen is an unmissable addition to this opera season. Book tickets for Carmen at the Royal Opera House today.
Please note this production contains a depiction of murder and themes of a sexual nature and violence. There are loud gunshots in Act I, using blank shots.
Carmen is sung in French with English surtitles displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are Carmen tickets?
Carmen tickets are priced from £56 to £341.
Where is Carmen playing in London?
Carmen is playing at the Royal Opera House, 41 Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 8RF.
What is the age recommendation for Carmen?
Carmen is best for age 8+. Children under 16 must be accompanied by and sat next to an adult.
How long is Carmen?
The running time for Carmen at Royal Opera House is 3 hours and 5 minutes.
Is there an interval during Carmen?
Yes, there is a 15 minute interval about halfway through Carmen.
Can I buy tickets for Carmen at the box office?
Yes you can buy from the Royal Opera House box office where you will pay the face value ticket price, sometimes with a small booking fee. Search on SeatPlan to get the best prices and deals in one search including discounts not available at the box office.
What is the refund / cancellation policy?
Tickets for Carmen are generally non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
SeatPlan works with multiple suppliers to find the best deal for you. Each supplier has their own refund and cancellation policy, which you can review on the payment page before you complete your purchase.
