I am longtime opera fan, expected to be disappointed by contemporary setting for this production, but I was wrong. Young Carmen star Aigul Akhmetshina has a stunningly beautiful voice and acting talent to match. The setting is no longer 1850 Seville Spain but 2024, in a Texas town at the Mexican border, Carmen is still a factory worker, but Jose is a border patrol officer, arms smugglers instead of gypsies, and local celebrity rodeo champion bullrider instead of a Spanish bullfighter. The wonderful music is all there to enjoy. The story of obsessive love, violence and tragedy feels more real, serious and true than the long-ago, far away setting. Go see it, this is a great introduction to opera if you have never seen one, or have seen a dozen productions of Carmen before.

One of the most popular operas of all time. And for good reason. Bizet's incomparable music. This production: such incredibly creative staging. Suddenly relevant for NOW!