A sensory-friendly piano rehearsal: Carmen
Monday, july 20, 2026 | 6:30 p.m.
Music Hall
Guests are welcome to enter and exit the theater at will and stay for as much or as little of the rehearsal as they like. Timings below are approximate.
6:00 p.m. Doors open: Enter at 1241 Elm Street (Music Hall Box Office doors).
6:30 p.m. Act I Rehearsal begins: Ushers will help you with seating.
7:45 p.m. Intermission (45 minutes for scene change) -TBD
8:30 p.m. Act II Rehearsal begins - TBD
9:40 p.m. Intermission (35 minutes for scene change) - TBD
10:15 p.m. Act III Rehearsal begins - TBD
11:00 p.m. End of Rehearsal - TBD
A sensory-friendly performance is a live theater experience designed to create a welcoming environment for audience members with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other social, learning, or cognitive disabilities. Performance adjustments at Cincinnati Opera include:
House lights remain at a low level throughout the performance
Accessible seating and amenities are available
Freedom to stand, move around, and enter and exit the theater as needed
Freedom to talk or vocalize during the performance
Trained volunteers, ushers, and staff to help provide a quality experience for everyone
Multiple designated quiet areas in the hall for audience member use
You are welcome to bring noise-canceling headphones, fidget/handheld manipulatives, or anything you need to ensure your comfort and safety during this performance.
Tickets are FREE for this special presentation for those with sensory sensitivities and guests.
Limit 4 per household; additional seats upon request subject to availability.
NOTE: Limited wheelchair spaces are available. When making reservations, choose "Wheelchair Space" for each wheelchair and "General Admission" for all companions. Ushers will assist with seating you together.
Have questions regarding tickets or seating? We're happy to assist! Call the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742, Monday-Friday, 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. to speak with a Patron Service Representative.
Carmen
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac
Sung in French with projected English translations
Carmen is fire.
The fiercely independent Carmen lives—and loves—on her own terms. When she sets her sights on Don José, a straitlaced soldier with a sweetheart back home, he quickly unravels, abandoning everything for her. But Carmen’s heart doesn’t stay in one place for long, and when the charismatic toreador Escamillo enters the ring, jealousy turns deadly. Set to Bizet’s iconic, rhythm-driven score, Carmen is a story of desire, freedom, and fatal choices.
HOW CAN I PREPARE?
Wondering how you can prepare your child or yourself for this experience? Various resources to help guide you and your family through the experience will be developed and posted in advance of the event.
Have questions? Need further assistance? Please contact Tracy Wilson, Director of Community Engagement & Education: twilson@cincinnatiopera.org.
Support for this Sensory-Friendly Rehearsal is provided by