State Opera South Australia Presents Georges Bizet's 'Carmen'

State Opera South Australia has announced a new production of Georges Bizet's epic tale of defiance, Carmen.

There will be four performances held at Her Majesty's Theatre from Saturday 17 October to Saturday 24 October.

Laura Hansford has been tapped to direct and is keen to keep the production as authentic as possible, with the famous story taking place in its original setting of 1825 Seville, Spain.

Carmen follows a fiercely independent woman who falls in love with simpleton soldier Don José, leading to a passionate relationship that spirals into obsession with devastating consequences.

State Opera South Australia Artistic Director Dane Lam said that Carmen remains one of the most recognisable stories and scores in opera history.

"There is no opera in the repertoire that has more recognisable tunes. Of all composers, Bizet knew how to craft a melody that stays with us long after we leave the theatre – the ultimate earworm maker! These timeless melodies - allied with an evocative orchestration and a cast of characters we at once recognise, barrack for, and pity – make a quintessential night at the theatre," said Lam.

"Carmen fits perfectly with our thesis that opera is for everyone: it's elite, not elitist, with our singers the Olympians of the vocal world – sending their voices without any amplification over the orchestra and into a 1,500-seat theatre. State Opera South Australia is the most locally rooted, internationally facing company in the region – shaping the conversation of what an opera company is in 21st Century Australia."

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This production of Carmen features a stellar all-Australian cast that includes South Australia's own soprano Charlotte Kelso in the title role as Carmen, tenor Gerard Schneider as Don Josė, baritone Samuel Dale Johnson as Escamillo and soprano Desiree Frahn as Micaëla, collaborating with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and State Opera Chorus.

"I could not be more excited to come back to Adelaide and work with the team at State Opera South Australia," said director Hansford.

"The world Bizet created for us in Carmen is filled with passion, colour, wit, humour, friendship, and genuine humanity, and I cannot wait to see what we can create together."

State Opera Executive Director Mark Taylor said that Carmen would be a fitting finale to the company’s Golden Jubilee mainstage season.

"Carmen is the triumphant conclusion to our Golden Jubilee mainstage season, celebrating Australian talent through Laura Hansford's vision and the homecoming of Charlotte Kelso as opera’s most iconic heroine. This is blockbuster opera in South Australia created locally for global impact."

Catch Carmen at Her Majesty's Theatre from Saturday 17 October to Saturday 24 October. Tickets on sale at stateopera.com.au.