“Carmen” at LA Opera

On October 17, Domingo Hindoyan takes the podium at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the premiere of a new production of Georges Bizet’s "Carmen," inaugurating LA Opera’s 2026/27 season and making his first appearance as the company’s Richard Seaver Music Director. He officially assumed the position on July 1, 2026, beginning a five-year term, and is only the third Music Director in the company’s history, succeeding Kent Nagano and James Conlon. Thaddeus Strassberger directs and designs the new staging, which draws on Spanish Gothic imagery to create a dark atmosphere, with choreography by Antonio Najarro. The cast features Rihab Chaieb as Carmen, Joshua Guerrero as Don José, Kathleen O’Mara as Micaëla, and Liam James Kara as Escamillo in the principal roles. Further performances: October 25, 27, and 29; November 1, 4, and 7.