Jolana Slavíková returns to the stage in the title role of Bizet’s popular opera, with Szabolcs Brickner and Boldizsár László sharing the role of Don José, while Tommaso Barea makes his debut as Escamillo in Calixto Bieito’s internationally acclaimed production. The production is presented eight times at the Hungarian State Opera between 14 and 29 November 2026. The ensembles of he Hungarian State Opera are conducted by the equally internationally acclaimed Gábor Hontvári.
The seductive Habanera, the confident Toreador Song and the Flower Song with its heartfelt declaration of love, offer three perspectives on the same story: Carmen, Escamillo and Don José each have a different understanding of love. Behind these familiar melodies unfolds the increasingly menacing drama of a relationship falling apart. Calixto Bieito sets the action in the raw, violence-ridden world of his youth in Spain, where the characters constantly test one another’s boundaries as well as their own. First staged at the Peralada Festival in Catalonia in 1999, this production joined the Opera’s repertoire in 2021, following performances at numerous prestigious opera houses across Europe and America.
The Habanera also marked the beginning of Jolana Slavíková’s relationship with the Opera. The young Czech mezzo-soprano performed Carmen’s famous aria in the final of the 2022 Éva Marton International Singing Competition, which led to her invitation to the Hungarian State Opera. Her debut in 2024 was also her first performance in the role, which she has since portrayed to great acclaim in Wrocław and Vilnius.
Tommaso Barea made his debut at the Hungarian State Opera in September 2025, stepping in at short notice to sing the title role in Le nozze di Figaro. The Venetian bass-baritone, who performs leading Mozart roles at major opera houses in New York, Chicago, Berlin and Milan, now returns to Budapest as Escamillo.
The guest artists will once again be joined by the Opera’s acclaimed soloists. Don José is portrayed by Szabolcs Brickner and Boldizsár László, while Orsolya Sáfár and Kinga Kriszta appear as Micaëla. Further roles are performed by Máté Fülep, Botond Pál, Géza Gábor, Attila Dobák, Ildikó Megyimórecz, and Melinda Heiter.
Gábor Hontvári conducting the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Chorus (chorus director: Gábor Csiki) and Children’s Chorus (chorus director: Nikolett Hajzer) marks the first time he is conducting Bizet’s work at the Hungarian State Opera. A recipient of the Junior Prima Award, Hontvári served as First Kapellmeister and Deputy Music Director at the Mainfranken Theater in Würzburg from 2019 to 2025. In addition to his international opera experience, he has conducted in prestigious concert venues including the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Carmen is performed in French, with Hungarian, English, and French subtitles, at the Hungarian State Opera on 14, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26 and 29 November 2026.
Photo: Valter Berecz
