Sally Potter's exciting new production of Carmen for the English National Opera was available, as video on demand, from 3 to 10 November 2007.

This was the first time that BBC Radio 3 had video streamed an opera, and the first time a UK opera house had offered a complete production online. We hope you enjoyed it.

Carmen online was a co-production between ENO and BBC Radio 3, in association with Adventure Pictures. The production was directed by filmmaker Sally Potter (Orlando, The Tango Lesson), who also directed the video streaming.

Act One

Security guards are using surveillance cameras to monitor activities on the other side of a wall – a hidden world of drugs and prostitution. José arrives for his shift just before the women emerge to take a break. Carmen is among the women, but José ignores her...

Act Two

Carmen is in a bar, surrounded by friends and a few off-duty security guards. She sings and everyone dances. Escamillo, a celebrity bullfighter, visits the bar with his entourage. He is attracted to Carmen, but she is the only one present who ignores him...

Act Three

Some months later, Carmen and José, stop off on their journey, somewhere near a border. Carmen has begun to tire of José’s jealousy. When reading cards with her friends Frasquita and Mercédès, she repeatedly sees her destiny foretold as death...

Act Four

In Spain, crowds gather to watch Escamillo in a bullfight. Carmen appears on Escamillo's arm. As Escamillo leaves, Carmen is warned that José is in the crowd. José, desperate, begs her not to reject him, but she refuses his demands...

Read the full synopsis

Read Sally Potter's blog about the preparation and rehearsals for this production. Visit the interactive Carmen website for music and video clips, a look behind the scenes, blogs and a chance to post reviews. You are also welcome to share your thoughts on the Radio 3 Messageboard.

Carmen ...... Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano)
José ...... Julian Gavin (tenor)
Escamillo ...... David Kempster (baritone)
Micaëla ...... Katie van Kooten (soprano)
Moralès ...... Ronan Collett (baritone)
Zuniga ...... Graeme Danby (bass)
Mercédès ...... Fiona Murphy (mezzo-soprano)
Frasquita ...... Elena Xanthoudakis (soprano)
Dancairo ...... Andrew Rees (tenor)
Remendado ...... Scott Davies (tenor)

Orchestra and Chorus of English National Opera
Edward Gardner (conductor)

All photographs are copyright English National Opera and Tristram Kenton.