Bizet’s Carmen at the Grimaldi Forum: Opéra de Monte-Carlo presents the masterpiece on 20 November

International opera takes centre stage in Monaco as Georges Bizet’s Carmen comes to the Grimaldi Forum on Friday, 20 November, at 7.30 pm. The Opéra de Monte-Carlo presents a new staged production of this celebrated French masterpiece, featuring an internationally acclaimed cast and some of the most exciting performers on today’s opera scene.

The performance will be particularly noteworthy for two important milestones: mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti will make her debut in the title role of Carmen at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, while tenor Benjamin Bernheim will perform the role of Don José for the first time in his career.

Carmen by Bizet: musical direction and staging

Musical direction will be entrusted to Marc Leroy-Calatayud, while Vanessa d’Ayral de Sérignac will oversee the staging, bringing a new theatrical interpretation to one of the most compelling works in the European operatic tradition.

Alongside Marina Viotti and Benjamin Bernheim, the audience will hear Erwin Schrott as Escamillo and Sandra Hamaoui as Micaëla. The international cast also includes Andrew Moore as Zuniga, Anas Séguin as Moralès, Marie Lombard as Frasquita and Axelle Saint-Cirel as Mercédès.

Completing the cast are Pierre Doyen as Le Dancaïre and Loïc Félix as Le Remendado.

The production will also feature the Choir of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, the Children’s Choir of the Rainier III Academy of Music and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing together some of the Principality’s leading musical institutions.

Carmen, Georges Bizet’s masterpiece that conquered the world

Composed by Georges Bizet and first performed in 1875 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, Carmen is now regarded as one of the most famous and widely performed operas in the world.

The story centres on Carmen, a free-spirited, passionate and unconventional woman who refuses to accept constraints and fiercely defends her right to determine her own destiny. Her troubled relationship with Don José, who becomes increasingly obsessed with her, unfolds into a dramatic tale of love, jealousy, desire and freedom, leading to a tragic conclusion.

The opera’s enduring popularity is also rooted in the extraordinary power of Bizet’s score, which combines dramatic intensity with melodies that have become part of the collective musical imagination. Among its best-known passages are the iconic Habanera, in which Carmen expresses her unconventional view of love, and the famous Toreador Song, associated with the character of Escamillo.

More than a century after its premiere, Carmen continues to resonate with contemporary audiences through universal themes such as female independence, personal freedom and the conflict between passion and possessiveness.

Opéra de Monte-Carlo at the Grimaldi Forum: 20 November performance

With this production, the Opéra de Monte-Carlo renews its commitment to showcasing the great operatic repertoire, bringing a work of exceptional musical and cultural significance to audiences in the Principality.

The appearance of Marina Viotti in her debut as Carmen and Benjamin Bernheim in his first-ever portrayal of Don José adds particular interest to an evening featuring internationally acclaimed singers, choral ensembles and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The performance of Georges Bizet’s Carmen will take place on Friday, 20 November 2026, at 7.30 pm, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. An opportunity to experience one of the greatest masterpieces of opera live, combining outstanding voices, timeless music and a story that continues to captivate audiences across generations.