Bizet's Carmen

In an all-time opera classic, the legendary Herbert von Karajan leads the Vienna Philharmonic in his own staging of Bizet's beloved Carmen, starring Grace Bumbry in the title role, Jon Vickers as Don José, and Mirella Freni as Micaëla! Presented at the 1967 Salzburg Festival, this exceptional production features the magnificent choreography of flamenco dancer Mariemma, performed by her incredible corps de ballet.

The sultry Carmen was unlike any opera heroine who had come before her, and Carmen's 1875 premiere scandalized its first audiences. Young and free-spirited with a rebellious streak and a penchant for seduction, Carmen (magnificent American mezzo Grace Bumbry) gets arrested after causing a fight in the tobacco factory where she works. Tasked with bringing her to prison, corporal Don José (legendary tenor Jon Vickers) falls for Carmen and allows her to escape. Madly in love, Don José leaves his fiancée Micaëla (Mirella Freni, opera royalty) and abandons his post to join up with Carmen and her band of smugglers. But Carmen, ever untameable, grows bored with Don José and turns her affections toward charming toreador Escamillo (Justino Diaz). Torn apart by jealousy and despair, Don José seeks out his former paramour with murderous intentions, leading to a devastating finale…