International stars Anita Rachvelishvili, Elena Maximova, Bryan Hymel, Yonghoon Lee and Jonas Kaufmann take to the stage in the return of Bizet’s much-loved opera Carmen.

The French composer’s most popular work, Carmen tells the story of young soldier Don José who intends to marry a girl from his home village. But when he meets the sensual and high-spirited Carmen, he sacrifices everything to be with her.

The opera features popular numbers including Carmen’s seductive Habanera and Escamillo’s rousing Toreador Song, in which he celebrates the thrill of the bullfight.

In Francesca Zambello’s 2006 production for The Royal Opera, Tanya McCallin rich designs capture the sultry heat of the Spanish sun, while ranks of soldiers, crowds of peasants, gypsies and bullfighters bring 19th century Seville to life.

Learn more about London operas within the West End.