Carmen Venice

Carmen at La Fenice Opera House Tickets 2027

Buy Carmen tickets at La Fenice Opera House and experience Georges Bizet’s passionate masterpiece in one of Venice’s most magnificent cultural landmarks.

Eight performances are scheduled between April 23 and May 4, 2027, featuring the Orchestra and Choir of Teatro La Fenice under conductor John Axelrod. Romain Gilbert directs an international production inspired by the appearance and theatrical atmosphere of Carmen’s original 1875 Paris premiere.

Choose your preferred date and book your Carmen La Fenice tickets before the most desirable stalls and central box seats become limited.

Bizet’s Carmen live in Venice

Set in Seville, Carmen tells the story of a fiercely independent woman whose refusal to surrender her freedom leads to an increasingly dangerous confrontation.

The soldier Don José abandons his responsibilities and his former life after becoming obsessed with Carmen. She initially returns his affection but eventually loses interest and becomes attracted to the celebrated bullfighter Escamillo.

Unable to accept her rejection, Don José’s passion turns into jealousy and desperation. Their relationship moves towards one of opera’s most famous and devastating final scenes.

Bizet combines romance, danger and dramatic tension with instantly recognisable music, making Carmen an excellent choice for both experienced opera audiences and visitors attending La Fenice for the first time.

Famous music from Carmen

Carmen contains some of the most familiar music in the entire operatic repertoire.

The title character introduces herself through the seductive Habanera, declaring that love cannot be controlled. The energetic Seguidilla follows as she persuades Don José to help her escape, while Escamillo’s famous Toreador Song announces the confidence and excitement of the bullfighting world.

Other highlights include Don José’s deeply emotional Flower Song, Micaëla’s lyrical third-act aria and the colourful choruses accompanying the changing public scenes.

The score moves effortlessly between intimate conversations, military music, lively outdoor celebrations and moments of intense psychological conflict.

A production inspired by the 1875 premiere

The 2027 La Fenice staging is part of an international collaboration involving the Opéra Royal – Château de Versailles, Opéra Orchestre Normandie Rouen, Bru Zane France and Palazzetto Bru Zane.

Director Romain Gilbert and his creative team aim to reconstruct the visual world of Carmen’s first performance at the Paris Opéra-Comique in 1875. The production therefore offers more than a conventional revival: it presents modern audiences with an interpretation inspired by how the opera may originally have appeared.

The creative team includes:

Conductor: John Axelrod
Director: Romain Gilbert
Sets: Antoine Fontaine
Costumes: Christian Lacroix
Lighting: Hervé Gary
Choreography: Vincent Chaillet

Christian Lacroix’s costumes bring colour and theatrical detail to the production, while Antoine Fontaine’s sets recreate the contrasting military, urban and mountainous settings of the story.

Carmen cast at La Fenice

The title role will be shared by mezzo-sopranos Anna Goryachova and Laura Verrecchia.

The principal cast also includes:

• Don José: Angelo Villari and Amadi Lagha
• Micaëla: Ruth Iniesta and Natalia Tanasi
• Escamillo: Devid Cecconi and Peter Martinčič
• Mercédès: Alessandra Della Croce
• Le Dancaïre: William Allione
• Le Remendado: Andrea Schifaudo
• Zuniga: Tiziano Rosati
• Moralès: Paolo Ingrasciotta

John Axelrod conducts the La Fenice Orchestra and Choir, joined by the children’s choir Piccoli Cantori Veneziani. The opera will be performed in its original French with surtitles in Italian and English.

Choosing your Carmen performance

The production opens on Friday, April 23 at 7:00 PM, followed by six further evening performances and one Sunday matinee.

The performance on Sunday, May 2 begins at 3:30 PM, making it a convenient option for visitors who prefer an afternoon at the opera. The remaining dates begin at 7:00 PM.

All eight dates present the same production, although the principal singers alternate during the run. Check the selected performance carefully when booking when a particular cast member is important to your decision.

Choosing seats at La Fenice

The stalls provide the most direct view of the stage and are particularly suitable for appreciating the production’s scenery, choreography and large ensemble scenes.

Central boxes combine a characteristic La Fenice experience with a balanced perspective of the stage. Lateral boxes can provide a more angled view, and visibility may vary according to the precise position of each seat.

For Carmen, central stalls or front seats in centrally positioned boxes should provide the best overall combination of visibility, atmosphere and orchestral sound.

Buy Carmen La Fenice tickets

Book your Carmen at La Fenice Opera House tickets and experience Bizet’s unforgettable story of freedom, desire and jealousy live in Venice.

Select your preferred date and seating category before completing your reservation. Advance booking provides a wider choice of seats and sections inside the historic auditorium.

Secure your Carmen La Fenice tickets and enjoy one of the world’s most celebrated operas in Venice in April or May 2027.