SEATTLE OPERA "Carmen" May 2 through May 17th, 2026
CARMEN
Seattle Opera
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy
Conducted by Ludovic Morlot
Stage Director and Choreography by Paul Curran
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
May 2, 2026 7:30pm
The 2025/2026 season on the McCall Hall stage for the Seattle Opera ended with the much beloved “Carmen.” My first repeat show since I started reviewing productions back in January of 2019. I was looking forward to seeing how the show affected me now compared to then.
I distinctly remember a few parallels from both performances. They were both in early May. I was covering a local horror and genre convention on the same weekend. I was tired on Sunday because of all the running around.
Let’s get to the review.
Carmen to the opera world is similar to what Swan Lake is to ballet. It’s a production that has solidified itself among the veteran opera lovers and the mainstream audiences over the decades/centuries. Many know some of its iconic music without even realizing it. Commercials and films have used some of Bizet’s timeless music over and over again. Even The Muppets did a piece back in the day with some of their loveable characters.
What struck me about this production were the voices.
Sasha Cooke made her role debut as the title character. Ms. Cooke has a long history with the Seattle Opera and this was her return after nearly ten years. Her voice was just beautiful. I loved her nuance and her emotional delivery as the scenes called for it.
Kathleen O’Mara as Micaela also sang her heart out. She had a warmth and strength to her voice that was just incredible.
Matthew Cairns as Don Jose’ was also mesmerizing, especially as the production carried on into the other acts. I was so lost in his singing at one point that I forgot where I was.
The ensembles, both youth and adult, were strong as well. When there were full company numbers on stage, it was powerful and magnetic.
I remembered some of the staging from the first time I saw it - I enjoyed it then and I enjoyed it in 2026.
If I had to nitpick anything was that while Ms. Cooke had one heck of a voice, I felt she was overall a bit miscast in the role. The come hither, sensual quality of the character just wasn’t there for me. I remember feeling like the character was trying to lure me into her web back in 2019 and that feeling just never materialized this time. This isn’t a knock on Ms. Cooke’s acting ability. I just felt she’s probably stronger in other operatic acting roles.
McCaw Hall was packed for opening night and the buzz in the room was very apparent. The curtain call was long and well deserving. For the opera newbies, “Carmen” is everything you want from a classic opera. For the veterans it’s a familiar artistic friend that, for this reviewer, never wears out its welcome.
Recommended!
“Carmen” runs through May 17th (check the official site for specific dates). Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Seattle Opera
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy
Conducted by Ludovic Morlot
Stage Director and Choreography by Paul Curran
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
May 2, 2026 7:30pm
(Sasha Cooke (Carmen) with Matthew Cairns (Don José) in "Carmen" at Seattle Opera. Photo: Sunny Martini.)
The 2025/2026 season on the McCall Hall stage for the Seattle Opera ended with the much beloved “Carmen.” My first repeat show since I started reviewing productions back in January of 2019. I was looking forward to seeing how the show affected me now compared to then.
I distinctly remember a few parallels from both performances. They were both in early May. I was covering a local horror and genre convention on the same weekend. I was tired on Sunday because of all the running around.
Let’s get to the review.
Carmen to the opera world is similar to what Swan Lake is to ballet. It’s a production that has solidified itself among the veteran opera lovers and the mainstream audiences over the decades/centuries. Many know some of its iconic music without even realizing it. Commercials and films have used some of Bizet’s timeless music over and over again. Even The Muppets did a piece back in the day with some of their loveable characters.
What struck me about this production were the voices.
Sasha Cooke made her role debut as the title character. Ms. Cooke has a long history with the Seattle Opera and this was her return after nearly ten years. Her voice was just beautiful. I loved her nuance and her emotional delivery as the scenes called for it.
Kathleen O’Mara as Micaela also sang her heart out. She had a warmth and strength to her voice that was just incredible.
Matthew Cairns as Don Jose’ was also mesmerizing, especially as the production carried on into the other acts. I was so lost in his singing at one point that I forgot where I was.
The ensembles, both youth and adult, were strong as well. When there were full company numbers on stage, it was powerful and magnetic.
(Melody Wilson (Mercédès), Sasha Cooke (Carmen), Navasard Hakobyan (El Dancairo), Daniel O'Hearn (El Remendado), and Meredith Wohlgemuth (Frasquita) in "Carmen" at Seattle Opera. Photo: Sunny Martini.)
If I had to nitpick anything was that while Ms. Cooke had one heck of a voice, I felt she was overall a bit miscast in the role. The come hither, sensual quality of the character just wasn’t there for me. I remember feeling like the character was trying to lure me into her web back in 2019 and that feeling just never materialized this time. This isn’t a knock on Ms. Cooke’s acting ability. I just felt she’s probably stronger in other operatic acting roles.
McCaw Hall was packed for opening night and the buzz in the room was very apparent. The curtain call was long and well deserving. For the opera newbies, “Carmen” is everything you want from a classic opera. For the veterans it’s a familiar artistic friend that, for this reviewer, never wears out its welcome.
Recommended!
“Carmen” runs through May 17th (check the official site for specific dates). Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
Meredith Wohlgemuth (Frasquita) Christian Pursell (Escamillo), and Melody Wilson (Mercédès) in "Carmen" at Seattle Opera. Photo: Sunny Martini.
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