Liam Scarlett Adaptation

Chicago hosts the Us premiere of the late Liam Scarlett's reimagining of Georges Bizet's iconic Carmen, re-setting the tale to take place in a Spanish cigarette factory in the 1930s. A fresh new take on one of the most recognizable operas in the canon, this sizzling tale of lust and betrayal runs the gamut from passionate romance to tragedy, belayed by Bizet's unforgettable score. This incredible adaptation is a reminder of what the world lost with Scarlett's untimely death in 2021 at the age of just 35.

What Is The Story Of Carmen

The opera follows Carmen, a fiery, provocative woman at odds with the conventions of Spain, a country on the brink of civil war. Able to seduce men with her dulcet tones and feminine wiles, Carmen ensnares the heart of Don Jose, who drops everything to be with her. When Carmen tires of her latest conquest, she leaves him for the handsome bullfighter Escamillo, setting off harrowing and ultimately fatal events fuelled by jealousy, obsession, and murderous rage.