Review: Opera Australia’s Carmen resonates with today’s women – that’s why it’s attracting more young ticket buyers than ever

• Opera Australia’s Carmen has opened at the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
• It’s contemporary themes have sparked the highest sale among the 35+ demographic.
• After seeing the opening night, we see why Carmen is finding a new audience.

Before Andrew Lloyd-Webber, there was Georges Bizet. His great opera Carmen is 150 years old this year, and remains amongst the world’s most performed works.

Yet when it opened on March 3, 1875, it was panned by critics and scandalised French society with its raw story of the working classes and a seductive gypsy girl. Sadly, Bizet died convinced he was a failure.

Even today, the Sydney Opera House felt it had to add this warning to ticket buyers: “This production contains a racial slur, adult themes, including sexual references and graphic depictions of murder and violence against women.”

And there have been many snapping up tickets. The Acting CEO of Opera Australia, Simon Militano, told last night’s first night it was selling more tickets to the 35+ market than any other piece.

Carmen is a wild young thing – sensual, attractive and rebellious. She dies at the hands of Don José, a corporal who falls completely for her charms but who turns out to be coercive, jealous, violent and impossible to live with.

When she leaves him for a handsome bull fighter, he cannot let go. Like so many modern stories of domestic violence – hence the Opera House warning – it does not end well.

Don’t go away thinking this is a sad and depressing story. It’s brilliantly staged and uplifting as the working class cast battles to make a living at a time when they had few rights as workers.

And if you find yourself recognising the tunes even if this is your first Carmen, don’t be surprised.

Carmen one of the most popular and regularly performed operas in the world, it’s also one of the most quoted in pop culture.

Bizet’s adrenaline-pumping overture has been used countless times in TV and film. It’s a favourite of sports programming, and it has mad appearance in everything from TV commercials to movies like Up and Trainspotting.

R&B superstar Beyoncé made her movie debut in Carmen: A Hip Hopera in 2001 alongside Mekhi Pfifer and rap stars Rah Digga, Lil Bow Wow and Mos Def.

And then there is the Toreador Song. Trust me, you’ll know it from the first few chords.

Hear it here in all its glory with lead singer Danielle de Niese: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37L-U1zendY&t=4s

This production is particularly blessed. Danielle de Niese, one of four Carmens this season, and she is everything you would want for this role: amazing stage presence, wonderful voice and a strong sensual presence. You understand why men fall in love with her.

She has been hailed as ‘opera’s coolest soprano’ (New York Times Magazine). After watching Carmen, I understand why.

It’s hard to breathe new life into such a well-worn opera. But this production succeeds in creating a vibrant, colourful uplifting story of our times despite the sad ending.

I’ve seen Carmen many times.  This production feels fresh, crisp and up-to-date. It will resonate in a world where, sadly, domestic violence and coercive control still feature all too freqently.

Where: Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney

Language: French with English and Simplified Chinese subtitles.

Running time – Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, including one interval.

Tickets: From $79

Run: Until Sept 19^th, 2025

Ror more: Sydney Opera House