Carmen November 10, 13, 16 and 18, 2012 The Atlanta Opera opens its 2012-2013 season at the Cobb Energy Centre on Saturday, November 10, with Bizet’s classic, Carmen. Other performances will be on November 13, 16 and 18, 2012. Set in Seville, the action pivots around Carmen, a gypsy who has the power to seduce any man who suits her fancy. Don José, a corporal, throws honor aside in pursuit of Carmen. Carmen soon casts off her ardent lover for the handsome toreador, Escamillo. Jealousy and passion seal Carmen's fate when Don José murders Carmen, while the crowd inside the bullring cheers for Escamillo. Debuting with The Atlanta Opera is mezzo-soprano Maria José Montiel, who will be singing the role of Carmen. Ms. Montiel is no stranger to the “fiery gypsy,” having sung the role in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, and Japan. Mexican tenor Fernando de la Mora returns to the Atlanta Opera stage in the role Don José. De la Mora last performed for Atlanta Opera audiences in 2007 in Romeo & Juliet, the Opera’s final production at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. In his Atlanta Opera debut, baritone Aleksey Bogdanov performs the role of the toreador, Escamillo. Soprano Melissa Shippen, debuting with the Opera, will sing Micaëla. Conducting Carmen is The Carl and Sally Gable Music Director Arthur Fagen. Stage direction will be provided by Jeffrey Buchman, who will be working with The Atlanta Opera for the first time. Choreographer Rosa Mercedes, who choreographed the Atlanta Opera’s recent production of Lucia di Lammermoor, will be choreographing this opera. The Atlanta Opera purchased this set from Opera Company of Philadelphia, which was originally produced by Florida Grand Opera and designed by Allen Charles Klein. Carmen will be sung in French with projected English translations