For Carmen, her freedom is her greatest treasure. She refuses to submit to the constraints of society. The conformist Sergeant Don José is fascinated by this woman who simply takes what she wants. He gives up everything for her – his childhood sweetheart Micaëla, his position in the military – and even joins a gang of smugglers. He is obsessed with Carmen, who soon loses interest in him and falls for the fearless bullfighter Escamillo. José is desperate and wants Carmen back, at any cost.

With his »Carmen«, Georges Bizet scored a real coup in 1875. To this day, the work remains one of the most frequently performed operas of all time. Enchanting melodies and rousing rhythms meet a strong heroine. She stands in stark contrast to the passive, self-sacrificing female characters that characterised the opera world of the 19th century.

Australian director Lindy Hume, who has already staged »Don Pasquale« and »La Cenerentola« at Leipzig Opera, sees Carmen not as the man-killing vamp she is often portrayed as, but as a self-determined woman. She draws parallels between Carmen and Don Giovanni: both characters are ahead of their time in their independence and welcome death as the ultimate expression of their unconditional will to freedom.