Costa-Jackson anchors a darker, more grounded Carmen revival

Ginger Costa-Jackson leads a Royal Opera House revival of Damiano Michieletto’s Carmen, set in Franco’s Spain. The review praises her powerful, dark-voiced performance and says the staging makes the opera’s oppressive atmosphere and sexual violence feel more carefully grounded.

The production’s barren setting, vivid lighting and lively conducting build tension, though the review finds some choices distracting, including the children’s entr’acte appearances and an overused symbol of fate. Russell Thomas gives Don José a thrilling final scene, while Adriana González and Alexander Vinogradov add vocal appeal as Micaëla and Escamillo. The production runs until 21 November.