Habanera from Bizet's Carmen ǀ Ginger Costa-Jackson | English National Opera

Bizet's Carmen | 1 – 24 February 2023 | London Coliseum |

Carmen: a woman ablaze with passion, surrounded by men possessed by obsession and jealousy. One of opera’s most well-known characters sets herself on a road to tragedy when she meets Don José, a corporal in the army searching for love.

ENO favourite Jamie Manton returns to direct Calixto Bieito’s beloved production, exploring the complex relationships between the sexes at the tail-end of Franco’s regime in the 1970s, with Bizet’s searing score, featuring popular opera songs like March of the Toreadors and Habanera, conducted by Kerem Hasan, returning from 2022’s production of Cosí fan tutte.

Ginger Costa-Jackson plays the title role alongside Sean Panikkar, who returns to the role of Don José from the ENO’s 2020 production. Also returning to the ENO are audience favourites Nmon Ford (Escamillo), Sophie Bevan (Micaela) and Keel Watson (Zuniga).

The cast is rounded out by ENO Harewood Artists Benson Wilson, Alexandra Oomens and Innocent Masuku.

See Carmen at the London Coliseum from 1 – 24 February 2023

We offer brilliant opera experiences at a range of affordable prices. Tickets start at just £10 plus £3.25 booking fee per ticket.

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[jcast]

Would have never thought it would still sound this good in English, bravo

[benlarsen]

Singing this in English, she's a saint

[elisecliftonklitz]

I first saw a local production of Carmen back in the early 80s and had only heard the French version over the years, until today! ( I was so young when I first saw it I thought was in Italian😝) but my point is today I heard it in English for the first time! Thank you so much. I crave an emotional response through music and I'm finding it's few and far between these days! Bravo. Carmen 💓Now I know the lyrics!! 🤩

[pin]

Love is free as an eagle soaring
Across the sun too wild to tame
Even though she may hear you calling
She will not come, you call in vain
some men threaten and some men flatter
while some men wait and hold their tongue
it's the silent one I like better
He may not speak but he's the one

That's love
Oh, love
That's love
Ah, love

True love is born of fiery blood
A child of liberty without a care
If you won't love me now I love you
and when I fall in love beware
(Beware beware)
If you won't love me now, if you won't love me now I'll love you
and if I love you, if I love you beware beware

(True love is born of fiery blood
A child of liberty without a care
If you won't love me now I love you
And when I fall in love beware)

(Beware beware)

If you won't love me now, if you won't love me now I'll love you
(Beware beware)
And if I love you, if I love you beware beware

Soon that bird that you long to capture
Unfolds her wings and flies away
Watch her vanish you'll never catch her
But turn your back and she will stay
Love as swifter under the bold
she dance away then wheels around
She'll escape if you try to hold her
If you escape she'll track you down

That's love
Ah, love
That's love
That's love
(Soon that bird that you long to capture
Unfolds her wings and flies away
Watch her vanish you'll never catch her
But turn your back and she will stay)

True love is born of fiery blood
A child of liberty without a care
If you won't love me now I love you
and when I fall in love beware
(Beware beware)
If you won't love me now, if you won't love me now I'll love
and if I love you, if I love you beware beware

(True love is born of fiery blood
A child of liberty without a care
If you won't love me now I love you
and when I fall in love beware)

If you won't love me now, if you won't love me now I'll love you
(Beware beware)
And if I love you, if I love you beware beware

[alfbittner]

Magnificent, I've never heard Carmen in English.

[alexnowakowskii]

She is the Carmen of our generation, how has the Met not given her this role

[ast]

What an astute cocktail of deep rich tones + delicate tails at the end of higher phrases. Brava Ginger! 👏👏

[patriciapaape]

Beautiful rich voice. Thank you for posting.♫♪ ॐ¸¸.•*¨*•♫

[nuclearshoes]

I saw her in Carmen afew monthes ago and she was just divine, I don't know that I can even imagine a better Carmen.

[broadrickschawl]

I really really hope we can keep this alive throughout the ages.. true art!

[kusanagid]

She makes this look effortless and makes its sound as if French was what it was dubbed to after English. Amazing!

[andrewcrossley]

Went on Friday for our 37th anniversary of our first date….married for 32 years now….saw it there a few years back. So good went back again. She is superb. The place was rammed full which is great to see.

[mrivera]

I've found myself completely captivated

[vaishurohit]

Tell Ginger that I love her beautiful singing voice!

[drparnassus]

4:39 Only a great performer could carry off that dramatic gesture at the end

[bananabuttons]

This was always beautiful but to here it in English is good. But honestly the original is pure and true. Such beautiful voice. The most perfect woman to depict this.

[fiyahriddims]

The words dig deep into my soul, longing for love but also avoiding

[Holdeenio]

Saw this performed live at the ENO on 14th Feb (2023). Highly recommended!!! 🎉

[skrrskrr]

please please please i'm dying to hear près de ramparts de séville again <3 stunning number, hope there's more coming!

[RKKY-mffe]

Didnt understand how awesome this is until im 44