![Carmen production](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/08/Carmen-5-1800x800-1.jpg?resize=18%2C8&gravity)
Carmen 2022
The cards are not in her favor.
Carmen, a free-spirited, enticing performer and factory worker, loves freely and lives boldly. Her love for the handsome Don José quickly turns into deceit and jealousy. It’s a recipe for disaster when she leaves him for the bullfighter, Escamillo.
Bizet’s most popular opera comes to the stage in a new production by Mariame Clément. Colorful sets and costumes by Julia Hansen bring this tragedy to life. What do the cards have in store for Carmen, Don José and Escamillo? Only time will tell what destiny has in store.
Las cartas no están a su favor.
Carmen, una artista tentadora de espíritu libre y trabajadora de fábrica, ama libremente y vive con valentía. Su amor por el guapo Don José se convierte rápidamente en engaño y celos. Es una receta para el desastre cuando lo deja por el torero Escamillo.
La ópera más popular de Bizet llega al escenario de la Santa Fe Opera en una nueva producción de Mariame Clément. Escenarios y vestuarios llenos de color por Julia Hansen dan vida a esta tragedia. ¿Qué tienen las cartas guardadas para Carmen, Don José y Escamillo? Solo el tiempo dirá lo que les guarda el destino.
Synopsis
Act I
A square in Seville. Soldiers pass, pretty girls pass. A woman asks for Corporal José. The soldiers invite her to linger until he returns, but she promises rather to return for the changing of the guard.
The whistle blows at the cigarette factory. Carmen, a Romani woman, lingers on the way to work, unfurling her smoky charms for a crowd of admirers in a habanera about the fickleness of love. José pays her no mind. She pitches a red cassia flower at him. He picks it up and hides it in his shirt when Micaëla enters to tell him of life at home and to give him the letter and the money his mother has sent. He pledges Micaëla his love and faith.
Screams are heard from the factory. Carmen has knifed another cigarette girl. Since she won’t answer Lieutenant Zuniga’s questions about the fight, José has no choice but to arrest her. She doesn’t seem to mind. Soon he has helped her escape. He is arrested.
Act II
Lillas Pastia’s club. Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercédès are singing and dancing at the tavern. The famous bullfighter Escamillo enters and raises a toast to the assembled company. Carmen is impressed, but she tells the toreador she’s seeing someone. When he leaves, a crowd follows him. The hour grows late and Pastia closes the tavern, leaving Dancaïre and Remendado to explain their new business scheme to the women. Frasquita and Mercédès are willing to start off at once, but Carmen insists on waiting for José, who has just been released from prison. They suggest converting him to their band.
José comes in and Carmen makes him jealous by telling him she’s been obliged to dance for Zuniga and the other officers. She begins to dance for him, but soon he hears the bugle call to return to his barracks. She taunts him for yielding to duty and not to love. As proof of his passion, he pulls out the flower she threw at him. Carmen says, if he really loved her, he’d desert the army and go with her and her friends. Zuniga enters in search of Carmen and jealous José fights him. Carmen’s cry brings the band running back. They disarm the men, Zuniga leaves and now José has no choice but to head for the mountains.
Act III
A rocky pass in the mountains. The smugglers relish the perils of their assignment. José misses his mother, his home and his honest reputation, and Carmen dares him to go back. He threatens her: he’ll never leave. She says she is in the hands of Fate. Frasquita and Mercédès decide to play cards to tell their fortunes however, each time Carmen shuffles and deals, she sees the Nine of Spades: Death. Her life is still in the hands of Fate.
Dancaïre enters to call them to their posts to carry the next shipment. A guide enters the pass unseen, leading Micaëla to where she might find José. She prays for the strength to reclaim her sweetheart from this other woman’s clutches. Now Escamillo enters in search of Carmen, and José challenges him to fight. Just as Escamillo’s knife snaps, Carmen steps in to separate the rivals. Escamillo invites everyone to his next fight in Seville. Then Remendado and Dancaïre find Micaëla hiding. She is overjoyed to see José, and she begs him to come home. Carmen seconds the advice. He says he’d rather die than leave her — but when Micaëla reveals that his mother is dying, he leads her away. Escamillo’s voice is heard in the distance.
Act IV
The arena in Seville. The crowd celebrates as the festival procession approaches the bullring. Escamillo enters with Carmen on his arm. Frasquita warns Carmen that José is nearby. Carmen waits calmly for him. José pleads with her to leave the bullfighter and start a new life together. She knows her hour has come, she says, yet she won’t go with him. He begs her not to go. She says she doesn’t love him. He bars her way. She throws her ring at him. He stabs her. She falls.
Artists
![Isabel Leonard headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/10/Isabel-Leonard_375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Isabel Leonard
Mezzo-soprano
Carmen
Isabel Leonard
Hometown: New York, NY
SFO Debut:
Cherubino, The Marriage of Figaro, 2008
Past Seasons:
Carmen, Carmen, 2022
Ada Monroe, Cold Mountain, 2015
Costanza, Griselda, 2011
![Matthew White headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/06/Matthew-White-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Matthew White
Tenor
Don José (July)
Matthew White
Hometown: New Market, VA
SFO Debut:
Don José, Carmen, 2022 (July)
![Michael Fabiano headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/10/Michael-Fabiano_375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Michael Fabiano
Tenor
Don José (August)
Michael Fabiano
Hometown: Montclair, NJ
SFO Debut:
Alfredo Germont, La traviata, 2013
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2005
Past Seasons:
Don José, Carmen, 2022 (August)
![Sumuel Michael headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/10/Sumuel-Michael_375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Michael Sumuel
Bass-baritone
Escamillo
Michael Sumuel
![Sylvia D'Eramo headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/10/Sylvia-DEramo_375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Sylvia D'Eramo
Soprano
Micaëla
Sylvia D'Eramo
Hometown: Tyler, TX
2025 Season:
Mimì, La bohème
SFO Debut:
Butterfly’s Cousin, Madama Butterfly, 2018
Past Seasons:
Micaëla, Carmen, 2022
Barena, Jenůfa, 2019
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2018, 2019
![David Crawford Headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/10/David-Crawford-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
David Crawford
Bass-baritone
Zuniga
David Crawford
![Sutliff, Luke headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/03/Sutliff-Luke375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Luke Sutliff
Baritone
Dancaïre
Luke Sutliff
Hometown: Denver, CO
SFO Debut:
Demetrius, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2021 (July 31 & August 4)
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2021, 2022
Past Seasons:
Belcore, The Elixir of Love, 2024
Orfeo, Orfeo, 2023 (July 29)
Dancaïre, Carmen, 2022
The Barber of Seville, 2022
Tristan und Isolde, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
The Lord of Cries, 2021
Eugene Onegin, 2021
![León, Anthony headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/03/Leon-Anthony375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Anthony León
Tenor
Remendado
Anthony León
Hometown: Riverside, CA
Past Seasons:
Remendado, Carmen, 2022
Falstaff, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
The Lord of Cries, 2021
Eugene Onegin, 2021
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2021, 2022
![Darren Lekeith Drone Headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/03/Drone-Darren-credit-Hector-Hernandez-bw.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Darren Lekeith Drone
Baritone
Moralès
Darren Lekeith Drone
Hometown: Sherwood, AR
Past Seasons:
Moralès, Carmen, 2022
Falstaff, 2022
Tristan und Isolde, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
The Marriage of Figaro, 2021
Eugene Onegin, 2021
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2021, 2022
![Kuźman, Magdalena headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/03/Kuzman-Magdalena375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Magdalena Kuźma
Soprano
Frasquita
Magdalena Kuźma
Hometown: New York, NY
Past Seasons:
Frasquita, Carmen, 2022
Falstaff, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2022
![Felty, Kathleen headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/03/Felty-Kathleen375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Kathleen Felty
Mezzo-soprano
Mercédès
Kathleen Felty
Hometown: Lubbock, TX
Past Seasons:
Mercédès, Carmen, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
Candide, 2018
Doctor Atomic, 2018
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2018, 2022
![Maire Therese Carmack headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/04/Carmack-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Maire Therese Carmack
Mezzo-soprano
Mercédès (July 1 & 6)
Maire Therese Carmack
Hometown: Bainbridge Island, WA
Past Seasons:
Mercédès, Carmen, 2022 (July 1 & 6)
Falstaff, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
Santa Fe Opera Apprentice: 2022
![Omen Sade Thomas headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/05/Omen-Sade-Thomas-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Omen Thomas Sade
Actor
Lillas Pastia
Omen Thomas Sade
Hometown: Orlando, FL
SFO Debut:
Lillas Pastia, Carmen, 2022
![Isla Burdette headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/07/Isla-Burdette-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Isla Burdette
Actor
The Little Girl
Isla Burdette
Hometown: Santa Fe, NM
SFO Debut:
The Little Girl, Carmen, 2022
![Harry Bicket](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2020/09/Harry-Bicket.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Harry Bicket
Conductor
Harry Bicket
Hometown: Liverpool, England
Endowed by Wyncote Foundation, as recommended by Frederick R. Haas & Rafael Gomez
2025 Season:
The Marriage of Figaro
SFO Debut:
Agrippina, 2004
Past Seasons:
Don Giovanni, 2024
Pelléas et Mélisande, 2023
Orfeo, 2023
Carmen, 2022
The Marriage of Figaro, 2021
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2021
Così fan tutte, 2019
Candide, 2018
Alcina, 2017
Roméo et Juliette, 2016
La finta giardiniera, 2015
Fidelio, 2014
Radamisto, 2008
Platée, 2007
![Mariame Clement headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/10/Mariame-Clement_375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Mariame Clément
Director
Mariame Clément
![Julia Hansen headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/04/Hansen-Julia375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Julia Hansen
Scenic & Costume Designer
Julia Hansen
Hometown: Berlin, Germany
SFO Debut:
Carmen, 2022
![Duane Schuler headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2020/09/Duane_Schuler_375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Duane Schuler
Lighting Designer
Duane Schuler
Hometown: Elkhart Lake, WI
2025 Season:
La bohème, The Marriage of Figaro
SFO Debut:
Madame Butterfly, 1996
Past Seasons:
The Flying Dutchman, 2023
Carmen, 2022
The Marriage of Figaro, 2021
Jenůfa, 2019
Candide, 2018
The Italian Girl in Algiers, 2018
Die Fledermaus, 2017
Don Pasquale, 2014
Fidelio, 2014
The Marriage of Figaro, 2013
La donna del Lago, 2013
La traviata, 2013
Tosca, 2012
Maometto II, 2012
King Roger, 2012
La traviata, 2009
The Letter, 2009
Alceste, 2009
Falstaff, 2008
The Marriage of Figaro, 2008
Così fan tutte, 2007
Platée, 2007
Carmen, 2006
Cinderella, 2006
Salome, 2006
The Tempest, 2006
Turandot, 2005
The Barber of Seville, 2005
Lucio Silla, 2005
Don Giovanni, 2004
Simon Boccanegra, 2004
Don Giovanni, 2004
La belle Hélène, 2003
Così fan tutte, 2003
Kátya Kabanová, 2003
Eugene Onegin, 2002
The Italian Girl in Algiers, 2002
Lucia di Lammermoor, 2001
Falstaff, 2001
Rigoletto, 2000
The Marriage of Figaro, 2000
Ermione, 2000
Countess Maritza, 1999
Carmen, 1999
Idomeneo, 1999
Madame Butterfly, 1998
The Magic Flute, 1998
La traviata, 1997
Semele, 1997
![Mathieu_Guilhaumon headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2021/10/Mathieu_Guilhaumon_375x375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Mathieu Guilhaumon
Choreographer
Mathieu Guilhaumon
![Rick Sordelet headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2023/04/Rick-Sordelet-375-x-375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Rick Sordelet
Fight & Intimacy Director
Rick Sordelet
Hometown: Duluth, MN
SFO Debut:
Salome, 2015
Past Seasons:
Tosca, 2023
The Flying Dutchman, 2023
Pelléas et Mélisande, 2023
Rusalka, 2023
Orfeo, 2023
Carmen, 2022
The Barber of Seville, 2022
Falstaff, 2022
Tristan und Isolde, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
Eugene Onegin, 2021
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2021
La Fanciulla del West, 2016
Don Giovanni, 2016
Roméo et Juliette, 2016
Cold Mountain, 2015
![Christian Sordelet headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2023/04/Christian-Sordelet-375-x-375.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Christian Kelly-Sordelet
Fight & Intimacy Director
Christian Kelly-Sordelet
Hometown: Montclair, NJ
SFO Debut:
Cold Mountain, 2015
Past Seasons:
Tosca, 2023
The Flying Dutchman, 2023
Pelléas et Mélisande, 2023
Rusalka, 2023
Orfeo, 2023
Carmen, 2022
The Barber of Seville, 2022
Falstaff, 2022
Tristan und Isolde, 2022
M. Butterfly, 2022
La Fanciulla del West, 2016
Don Giovanni, 2016
Roméo et Juliette, 2016
![Susanne Sheston headshot](https://images.santafeopera.org/uploads/2022/06/Susanne-Sheston-375x375-1.jpg?resize=7%2C7&gravity)
Susanne Sheston
Chorus Master
Susanne Sheston
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
2025 Season
SFO Debut:
2008 Season
Past Seasons:
2024 Season
2023 Season
2022 Season
2021 Season
2019 Season
2018 Season
2017 Season
2016 Season
2015 Season
2014 Season
2013 Season
2012 Season
2011 Season
2010 Season
2009 Season
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