CARMEN

I am delighted to see the dance hungry artists of Opera Nova, who present Carmen to the full extent of their skills and develop her interpretation. This is sure to be a treat we won't easily forget! - this is how Johan Inger, an outstanding choreographer, spoke about our preparations for the Polish production of the ballet performance, which was inaugurated by the XXXI Bydgoszcz Opera Festival.

Johan Inger takes Bizet's famous opera into the fascinating world of dance to revisit the history of a dangerous passion. This is the “Carmen” you don't know! Polish ballet premiere on 26 April - on the stage of Opera Nova.

“Carmen”, thanks to its passionate drama based on the novel by Prosper Merimé and the music of one of the most famous operas, continues to stir emotions to this day. To meet the challenge of facing a legend so firmly rooted in Spanish culture, Johan Inger decided to show his heroine through the eyes of a child.

“This child can be any of us, experiencing violence that, however brief, has a lasting negative impact on our lives and our ability to bond with others,” explained Johan Inger in one of the interviews.

Johan Inger's fresh take on the classic tale of seduction and obsession transports Georges Bizet's 19th-century opera to the modern world, presenting a breathtaking ballet performance. Inger's choreography combines contemporary movement with classical, which gives an extremely powerful effect.

In the universal stage space, nine large moving mirrors form the framework of the action, transporting us from the city square to the restless mind of Don José. Terror and ominous atmosphere rise above the stage thanks to additional electronic music by Marc Alvarez, which complements the classical score of Bizet and Shchedrin, which will be performed live by the Opera Nova Orchestra.

The author's ballet “Carmen” Johan Inger created in 2015 for the Compañía Nacional de Danza (CND - Madrid). In 2016, he received the prestigious Benois de la Danse award for his choreography “Carmen”. In 2018, “Carmen” by the Swedish choreographer won the Venice TV Award in the category “Performing Arts”. Recorded at the Théâtre de la Coursive in La Rochelle, the performance is broadcast on Mezzo television.

Since the premiere of CND in Madrid, “Carmen” has been presented on the biggest stages of the world. Only in 2024, this ballet performance with the original choreography of Johan Inger had its premiere in: Greece (Greek National Opera and Ballet), Great Britain (English National Ballet) or Australia (The Australian Ballet). Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz joined the list of Inger's “Carmen” premieres.

I am delighted to see the dance hungry artists of Opera Nova, who present Carmen to the full extent of their skills and develop her interpretation. This is sure to be a treat we won't easily forget! Thrilled to see the hungry dancers from Opera Nova take on Carmen in their fullest capacity and bring the interpretation further! It will surely become a meal not easily forgotten! - this is how Johan Inger, an outstanding choreographer, spoke about our preparations for the Polish production of the ballet performance, which inaugurated the XXXI Bydgoszcz Opera Festival on April 26, 2025.

Johan Inger at the end of 2024 met with the Opera Nova Ballet for the first time in the rehearsal room, without hiding that he is impressed by our dancers. Opera Nova Ballet was preparing for the Polish premiere of “Carmen” under the professional supervision of the choreographer's assistants: Toby Mallitt and Yoko Tair.