Carmen

Prices:
£60, £48, £35, £25

Groups:
£15 off groups 10+
£20 off groups 20+

About The Event
The O2 is set to host its first fully staged opera.

Carmen, the world's most popular opera, will take over The O2 in May 2010 for just three performances and follows on from highly successful and popular classical stagings of Carmina Burana, Andrea Bocelli and the world premiere of Ben Hur Live at the venue.

Directed by David Freeman, founder of The Opera Factory and whose previous credits include Madam Butterfly Tosca and Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall, his production of Bizet's masterpiece comes to The O2 on a grand and spectacular scale. From the very first note to the final tragic chords, this stunning in-the-round production vividly portrays the powerful story of lust, superstition and murder that passionately unravels with fatal consequences.

Carmen is presented by Raymond Gubbay and The O2 and will be performed by a superb cast of over 150 artists, including dancers, acrobats and fire-eaters. The wonderful set and fabulous costumes will bring to life the dusty atmosphere of the town square, the cool night air of the smugglers' mountain hideout and the colourful festivities outside of the bullring in Seville.

Sung in English, Bizet's unforgettable score contains some of opera's finest arias and best loved music. The rousing Song of the Toreador, the beguiling Seguidilla, the tantalising Habanera and the enchanting Flower Song - sensual music that perfectly captures the very essence of Spain. Accompanied by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gareth Hancock, this world class company of singers, musicians and artists will provide an unforgettable production of Bizet's Carmen, staged on an epic scale at The O2.

The principle roles will be shared by Cristina Nassif and Louise Poole (as Carmen) and John Hudson and Philip O'Brien (as Don Jose).

Location
The O2 Arena is a new music and sports venue in London part of The O2 entertainment complex being developed in and around the Millennium Dome.

There really could be no more perfect place to site a major entertainment destination than on the banks of the River Thames at Greenwich. By whatever means guests choose to arrive they can do so with ease.

Transport
please note that The O2 encourages environmentally sustainable travel choices and you are strongly recommended to use one of the variety of public transport options shown below.

By Tube
Underground: North Greenwich- Jubilee Line - The O2 Arena is a short walk

By Docklands Light Railway
DLT Stations: Canary Wharf & Canning Town - connect to the Jubilee Line

By Rail
BR Stations:
Stratford & West Ham - connect to the Jubilee Line
Greenwich - DLR to Canary Wharf - connect to the Jubilee Line, or walk. Greenwich is approx 20 minutes on foot from the venue.

By River
The Thames Clipper service running from Savoy Pier adjacent to Waterloo Bridge, via Blackfriars, London Bridge, Canary Wharf & Greenwich, will service The O2 Arena by a scheduled stop at Queen Elizabeth II Pier The boats have a bar on board, your ticket is for a return journey, but not for a timed departure. Boarding is on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability of capacity. To check out the sailing times, visit www.thamesclippers.com.

By Cycle
Various cycle routes lead up the Greenwich peninsula to the venue, where cycle racks are available.
If you have to drive...
By Car
The M25 orbital road offers easy access to the venue

Parking
The Peninsula and other areas of Greenwich is a Controlled Parking Zone and there is no parking on the roads surrounding The O2.
The O2 has 2000+ parking spaces. You are advised to pre-book your parking ticket. No overnight parking.

Age Restriction
ALL CHILDREN & JUVENILES UNDER THE AGE OF 14 YEARS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT OVER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS – UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN & JUVENILES UNDER THE AGE OF 14 WILL NOT BE ADMITTED & WILL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND. YOU ARE ADVISED TO CARRY PHOTO ID WITH PROOF OF AGE.

THERE ARE NO CHILD REDUCTIONS – ALL PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 14 ATTENDING THE EVENT MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF A FULL PRICED TICKET

NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED TO UNDER 14’S IN BREACH OF ABOVE CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE.

The promoter & venue do not recommend subjecting children to loud music over a sustained period of time. Events may be age restricted and it is the responsibility of the ticket holder to check before purchasing. Except for shows specifically aimed at children, accompanying adults should be confident that the child will not cause disruption to other audience members or they may be asked to leave the auditorium of the venue.

General Rules
For legal reasons alcohol may only be consumed within premises that hold a relevant license, customers must stay within the demise of the premises where they bought the drink.
The 02 is a non smoking building.
No food or drink is permitted to be brought into the venue. A variety of food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be available for purchase. The use of unauthorised cameras, video or sound recording equipment (including without limitation, mobile phones or other devices used for such purpose), is prohibited and such items may be confiscated.

Address
The O2

Millennium Way
London SE10 0BB
United Kingdom