Bizet’s perennially popular opera Carmen, a work capable of multiple reinventions, is popping up in two UK regional productions. Northern Ireland Opera has announced cast and creatives for its first-ever production of Carmen which debuts at Belfast’s Grand Opera House on 12 September 2026. Before then, Devon Opera present Carmen at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter on 24 July.
Northern Ireland Opera’s production of Carmen is directed by the company’s artistic director, Cameron Menzies [read my 2023 interview with him], with Greg Arrowsmith as musical director (he was the musical director for the company’s production of Sondheim’s Follies last year). The production is very much a reinvention with Arrowsmith creating arrangements for an on-stage instrumental quintet who will perform in partnership with the orchestra in the pit.
Don Jose and Carmen are played by American guests, Noah Stewart who is no stranger to these shores and Ruby Dibble, Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition national finalist. Local talent includes soprano Mary McCabe as Micaëla, mezzo-soprano Jenny Bourke as Mercédès and soprano Petra Wells as Frasquita.
Further details from the Grand Opera House website.
Founded as New Devon Opera in 2004 with an amateur chorus, Devon Opera now produces full professional performances in the original language. The company’s production of Carmen is directed by Anna Gregory, with Pavel Timofeyeski as music director. Don Jose and Carmen are played by Matthew Curtis and Emma Roberts. Curtis was Lensky in HGO’s recent production of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, and Roberts was awarded the 2nd prize for Bampton 2025 Young Singers Competition.
Further details from Devon Opera’s website.
