Sheffield production reimagines Carmen through the voices of women affected by domestic abuse
Carmen was never a love story
Bizet’s iconic heroine is brought into contemporary Northern England in a bold new production shaped by women’s lived experiences.
This November, Atelier Armonico presents Carmen’s Voice, a new adaptation of Bizet’s iconic opera created in collaboration with IDAS, the largest specialist charity in the north of England supporting people impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence. This production premieres on 25 November, coinciding with 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Bringing Carmen from nineteenth century Seville into contemporary Northern England, Carmen’s Voice invites audiences to see this familiar story through the lens of lived experience.
The production is developed through creative workshops with survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in Yorkshire, and places them at the heart of the artistic process. The women’s voices and perspectives have helped shape the themes, language, and dramatic world of the production, bringing Carmen’s story into a contemporary context.
For over 150 years, Carmen has remained one of opera's most iconic characters: fiercely independent, sexually liberated, and unwilling to be controlled. Yet her story ultimately ends in an act of violence at the hands of a man who refuses to accept her choice to leave him.
Rather than treating Carmen as a historical figure locked within a nineteenth century narrative, the production explores what her story can tell us about women’s experiences today and the ways in which women’s voices are heard, silenced, and reclaimed.
Carmen’s Voice strips back one of opera’s most popular stories, offering a rendition that focuses on the psychological and emotional journey of Carmen. The result is a thought-provoking adaptation that champions real women’s voices while retaining the extraordinary musical power of Bizet’s original work. Performed in English, this production features a 12 piece chamber orchestra giving audiences a unique and intimate experience of theatre rooted in reality.
Opera as a vehicle for change
Atelier Armonico uses opera as a vehicle for change, bringing artists, communities and organisations together to explore contemporary questions through music and theatre.
The partnership with IDAS builds on Atelier Armonico’s longstanding commitment to socially engaged work and collaboration with organisations championing social justice. Previous projects, including Kurt Weill’s Zaubernacht, which brought together asylum seekers, musicians, and dancers, reflect the company’s belief in opera’s potential to connect people, create dialogue and open up new perspectives.
At its heart, Carmen’s Voice asks who gets to speak, who gets to be heard and who gets to shape the stories we tell?
Creative team
Carmen’s Voice was conceived by Conductor & Artistic Director of Atelier Armonico, Davide Levi; Stage Director, Sasha Regan; and Creative Producer, Leila Alexander.
“Some projects challenge you to look at a familiar work in an entirely new way, and Carmen’s Voice has done exactly that for me. Working with survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence has been both deeply moving and creatively inspiring. Their experiences have brought new understanding to Carmen’s story, and it is difficult to see the opera in quite the same way again.”
– Sasha Regan, Stage Director
“Survivors taking back the narrative on male-perpetrated violence is essential in breaking the myths built to drown out their voices. IDAS Ambassadors and survivor network members have guided Atelier Armonico in the reshaping of the original Carmen with wisdom that brings real insight, and undeniable truth, to the stage.”
– Marie Eden, IDAS, Survivor Engagement Coordinator
About IDAS
IDAS is the largest specialist charity in the north of England supporting people impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence. The charity provides specialist support and accommodation to victims and survivors, including dedicated services for children and young people and people affected by sexual violence. Alongside its frontline services, IDAS works through training, prevention and education to challenge the causes of domestic abuse and sexual violence and create lasting change.
Carmen’s Voice
Wednesday 25th & Thursday 26th November 2026, 7.30pmTrafalgar Warehouse - 120 Trafalgar Street, Sheffield, S1 4JT
Doors open at 6.30pm | Running time approximately 1 hour
Performed in English with live chamber orchestra