Royal Opera House Brings 1970s-Inspired Production of Carmen to Ibiza Cinemas

November 05, 2026

Ibiza audiences will have the opportunity to experience one of opera's most famous works on the big screen this November, as the Royal Opera House in London brings its production of Carmen to Multicines Eivissa. The live cinema broadcast is scheduled for Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at 20:00, transmitting the performance directly from Covent Garden.

Composed by Georges Bizet, Carmen is being presented in a production directed by Damiano Michieletto, which reimagines the familiar story in a Mediterranean setting inspired by the 1970s. The staging moves away from the traditional folkloric image often associated with the opera, offering a more contemporary interpretation of its themes of freedom, desire, jealousy and destructive obsession.

The leading roles are performed by mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson as Carmen and tenor Russell Thomas as Don José, with Sesto Quatrini conducting the orchestra.

Carmen Live from London's Royal Opera House

The screening at Multicines Eivissa forms part of the Royal Opera's 2026/2027 cinema programme, allowing audiences outside London to experience a live performance from one of the world's leading opera companies.

The broadcast will take place on Tuesday, 10 November, beginning at 20:00 local time in Ibiza. The performance is expected to last approximately three hours and 35 minutes, including an interval.

The opera is sung in French, with Spanish subtitles for cinema audiences.

For viewers on the island, the screening offers an opportunity to experience a major international opera production without travelling to London or attending a live performance on the theatre stage.

A Contemporary Interpretation Set in the 1970s

Directed by Damiano Michieletto, this production places the action in a Mediterranean community during the 1970s, creating a different visual context for Bizet's famous opera.

Rather than relying on the traditional Spanish folkloric imagery often associated with Carmen, the staging takes a more naturalistic approach, exploring the characters and the emotional tensions behind the story.

The production focuses on Carmen's independence and desire for freedom, alongside Don José's growing jealousy and obsession. Its themes include possessiveness, violence and the destructive consequences of an increasingly controlling relationship.

The visual direction is supported by set design from Paolo Fantin, costumes by Carla Teti and lighting by Alessandro Carletti.

The production also introduces a more psychological dimension to the story, drawing attention to the pressures surrounding the central characters and the consequences of their decisions.

An International Cast Led by Ginger Costa-Jackson

Mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson takes the title role of Carmen, the independent and captivating woman at the centre of the opera.

American tenor Russell Thomas performs Don José, the soldier whose attraction to Carmen develops into an increasingly destructive obsession.

The principal cast also includes:

  • Ginger Costa-Jackson as Carmen

  • Russell Thomas as Don José

  • Adriana González as Micaëla

  • Alexander Vinogradov as Escamillo

  • Seohyun Go as Frasquita

  • Ellen Pearson as Mercédès

The musical direction is led by Sesto Quatrini, who conducts Georges Bizet's celebrated score.

The Story Behind Bizet's Carmen

First performed in 1875, Carmen tells the story of a free-spirited woman who refuses to surrender her independence for the expectations of others.

Set in Seville, the opera follows Carmen's relationship with Don José, a soldier who becomes increasingly consumed by his feelings for her. As Carmen turns her attention to the bullfighter Escamillo, Don José's jealousy and desperation lead the story towards its tragic conclusion.

The opera features some of the most recognisable melodies in classical music, including Carmen's Habanera and Seguidilla, Don José's Flower Song and Escamillo's famous Toreador Song.

Although its initial reception was controversial, Carmen went on to become one of the most frequently performed operas in the international repertoire.

Event Details: Carmen at Multicines Eivissa

Opera: Carmen by Georges Bizet

Date: Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Time: 20:00

Venue: Multicines Eivissa, Ibiza

Broadcast: Live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

Director: Damiano Michieletto

Musical Director: Sesto Quatrini

Main Cast: Ginger Costa-Jackson, Russell Thomas, Adriana González and Alexander Vinogradov

Language: French

Subtitles: Spanish

Running Time: Approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes, including an interval

Tickets: Check availability and booking information through the cinema or the official Event Cinema website.

The Royal Opera House's production of Carmen brings a contemporary perspective to Bizet's celebrated opera, combining an international cast, an acclaimed score and a distinctive 1970s-inspired setting. Its live screening in Ibiza offers local audiences an opportunity to enjoy this major London production on the big screen.

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