CARMEN

About Carmen

On January 27, acclaimed English director Carrie Cracknell brings a vital new production of one of opera’s most enduringly powerful works, reinvigorating the classic story with a staging that moves the action to the modern day and finds at the heart of the drama issues that could not be more relevant today: gendered violence, abusive labor structures, and the desire to break through societal boundaries. Dazzling young mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina leads a powerhouse quartet of stars in the complex and volatile title role, alongside tenor Piotr Beczala as Carmen’s troubled lover Don José, soprano Angel Blue as the loyal Micaëla, and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen as the swaggering Escamillo. Daniele Rustioni conducts Bizet’s heart-pounding score.

Composed by Georges Bizet. Conducted by Daniele Rustioni.

Running time: TBA.

About Ken Cazan

Ken Cazan is a Professor of Opera and Resident Stage Director at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. He has directed more than 180 productions of opera, musical theatre, and plays. World premieres include the Kaminsky/Campbell/Reed opera, AS ONE (BAM/American Opera Project), Lowell Lieberman and JD McClatchey’s MISS LONELYHEARTS (Juilliard School and others), and Thomas Morse’s FRAU SCHINDLER for which he also co-wrote the libretto at the Gärtnerplatz Theatre in Munich, Germany. He is known for directing the works of Benjamin Britten and was recently inducted into the Grove Dictionary of Music. In 2022, Mr. Cazan directed the World and American premieres of ALL THE TRUTHS YOU CANNOT SEE at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland and the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, respectively. Upcoming, Ken will direct THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA for the Central City Opera (his 20th season with the company), and then return to the Santa Fe Opera where he will teach acting to and direct scenes for the Young Artists Program. In the Spring of 2023, he will direct SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

Check-In & Reservations

This performance is free of charge and open to the public. A reservation confirmation will automatically be sent to your e-mail account upon successfully making an RSVP through this website. Doors will open at 12:30 P.M.

All SCA screenings are OVERBOOKED to ensure seating capacity in the theater, therefore seating is not guaranteed based on RSVPs. The RSVP list will be checked in on a first-come, first-served basis until the theater is full. Once the theater has reached capacity, we will no longer be able to admit guests, regardless of RSVP status.

Parking 

On-campus parking at the University of Southern California is limited, and it is best to visit the USC Transportation Website for the most up-to-date information if you plan to drive and park on campus:

https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/daily-and-hourly-parking/
https://transnet.usc.edu/index.php/about-us/entrance-hours/
 

FOOD AND DRINKS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM THE AUDITORIUM.
VIOLATORS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PERFORMANCE.

PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY.
DOORS WILL CLOSE 15 MINUTES INTO THE PERFORMANCE.

This program is generously sponsored by


For more information about upcoming programming and events offered by
USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative, please visit their website.