‘Carmen’ at the Royal Opera House

Brian Jagde returns to London’s Royal Opera House this season, singing Don José in Bizet’s Carmen. The production, staged by Barrie Kosky, features Gaëlle Arquez in the title role, Eleonora Burrato as Micaëla, and Alexander Vinogradov as Escamillo. Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson leads from the pit for all performances, taking place November 30 – December 22, 2018.

“In this hard-scrabble concept, Don José stood out as the clueless romantic, and Brian Jagde sang the “Flower Song” with all the passionate abandon of an adolescent in love for the first time.”
Heidi Waleson – Wall Street Journal

“Bizet’s score remains just as exciting as ever and (though there won’t be a rose between anyone’s teeth) the principal cast and chorus are fabulous. Brian Jagde’s lyric tenor chops are enthralling, his rendition of Don José’s Act 2 aria, “La fleur que tu m’avais jetée” (The Flower Song) is dazzling. Brian’s ascension on the phrase that leads to the sustained high B-flat is delivered gently and seamlessly, the tonal quality is jewel-like. Even at the opening night performance, he knocked it out-of-the-park. As thousands cheered.”
Sean Martinfield – Huffington Post

Photo: Filippo Nardo / Arena di Verona