The hot sun of Seville made her neck glisten beneath her dark curls. Even among scores of señoritas, she was spell-binding. Carmen, as she was known to all, saw the officer as an intriguing challenge. She approached; he melted. But in short order Carmen's attention strayed. Furious, the officer insisted she return to him, and Carmen would have to decide her fate.

Bizet's Carmen is among the most popular stage works in the world, and for good reason. With a bounty of well-known melodies, vivid characterizations, and glimpses of Spanish Gypsy life, it's one of opera's best. We're pleased to present an outstanding cast. Gorgeous Romanian mezzo-soprano Ruxandra Donose returns to Cincinnati to sing the role of Carmen. She's joined for the first time by tenor William Burden as her impassioned lover Don José. Met Opera star baritone Dwayne Croft is the bullfighter Escamillo.