Carmen At The O2

LONDON -

- The O2 to Stage its First Opera

- The World’s Most Popular Opera Comes to the World’s Most Popular Music Venue

The O2 is set to host its first fully staged opera. Carmen, the world’s most popular opera, will take over The O2 in May 2010 for just three performances and follows on from highly successful and popular classical stagings of Carmina Burana, Andrea Bocelli and the forthcoming world premiere of Ben Hur Live at the venue.

Directed by David Freeman, founder of The Opera Factory and whose previous credits include Madam Butterfly Tosca and Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall, his production of Bizet’s masterpiece comes to The O2 on a grand and spectacular scale. From the very first note to the final tragic chords, this stunning in-the-round production vividly portrays the powerful story of lust, superstition and murder that passionately unravels with fatal consequences.

Carmen is presented by Raymond Gubbay and The O2 and will be performed by a superb cast of over 150 artists, including dancers, acrobats and fire-eaters. The wonderful set and fabulous costumes will bring to life the dusty atmosphere of the town square, the cool night air of the smugglers’ mountain hideout and the colourful festivities outside of the bullring in Seville.

Sung in English, Bizet’s unforgettable score contains some of opera’s finest arias and best loved music. The rousing Song of the Toreador, the beguiling Seguidilla, the tantalising Habanera and the enchanting Flower Song - sensual music that perfectly captures the very essence of Spain. Accompanied by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gareth Hancock, this world class company of singers, musicians and artists will provide an unforgettable production of Bizet’s Carmen, staged on an epic scale at The O2.

The principle roles will be shared by Cristina Nassif and Louise Poole (as Carmen) and John Hudson and Philip O’Brien (as Don Jose).

Raymond Gubbay, impresario and classical music promoter, commented: “The O2 is a wonderful venue to stage such a dramatic and powerful opera. We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to transform this amazing space and produce the first opera there.”

The production is designed by David Roger whose previous credits include operas for English National Opera, Opera North and the Kirov; lit by multi Tony Award winning Andrew Bridge (Phantom of the Opera, Fosse, Sunset Boulevard), choreographed by Robert North (former Artistic Director of Ballet Rambert, Teatro Regio (Torino) and Scottish Ballet) with sound design by Bobby Aitken and English translation by the acclaimed Amanda Holden.”

The O2’s first collaboration with Raymond Gubbay will be ‘Christmas Spectacular’ on 23rd December. It is set to be a rousing night of carols and cracking Christmas hits performed against a stunning backdrop of lighting, special effects and indoor fireworks hosted by Myleene Klass.

CARMEN Performance dates are: Friday 21 May 7.30pm Saturday 22 May 7.30pm Sunday 23 May 2.30pm

Tickets go on sale on Friday 18th September via www.theo2.co.uk or by calling +44(0)844-856-0202. Tickets are priced between GBP25 and GBP60 with a Gold Circle ticket at GBP95 which includes a complimentary souvenir programme. All tickets are subject to booking fees.

Source: The O2

For full biogs and any further information please contact Lucy Ellison on +44(0)20-8463-2572/ lucy.ellison at aegworldwide.co.uk or Stephanie Jones on +44(0)20-8463-2573/ stephanie.jones at aegworldwide.co.uk