It's one of the world's best known and most loved operas and has captivated audiences for almost 150 years.
Now one Spanish production is touring China with something brand new for the Chinese audience. Our correspondent Ken Browne has more from Madrid.
Now one Spanish production is touring China with something brand new for the Chinese audience. Our correspondent Ken Browne has more from Madrid.
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00:00Carmen, instantly recognisable, globally renowned, and Madrid Ballet Flamenco Company has produced
00:13arguably its most Spanish incarnation, with flamenco song and dance centre stage.
00:22Playing Carmen is so intense that three actors share the lead role.
00:28Nani Hernandez and Irene Flores are two of the three, and they have already toured 11 cities across China.
00:37It was an amazing experience for us. There's nothing like it.
00:42Chinese audiences love Carmen, and it's a joy to perform there.
00:50The theatres are enormous and they're always full.
00:53After the show they want to meet us and take photos with the dancers.
00:56We love the warmth and affection we get from Chinese people. They really appreciate our performance.
01:02Welcome to Madrid's Gran VÃa, known as Spain's Broadway.
01:07This Carmen has been a huge success. Almost 2 million people have seen it worldwide.
01:13Now the company is getting ready for its China tour, when it will translate its iconic arias into Mandarin Chinese.
01:22Spanish soprano Estibaliz MartÃn is preparing to interpret famous songs like the Habanera and the Toreador in Mandarin.
01:31I think that performing the opera songs in Mandarin Chinese will bring Carmen and our culture a little closer to Chinese people and give it another dimension.
01:40China is a country where I feel very comfortable because I have performed there a number of times before.
01:46We always want to engage and connect with our audiences.
01:51In 2025, Carmen celebrates 150 years on stage.
01:57And for director Luciano Ruiz, it's as relevant and relatable as ever.
02:03She is our guiding light. She taught me how to direct. She taught me how to create.
02:11Carmen was a leader in her time, and she would be a leader today, too, thanks to her personality and charm.
02:17The way she uses her intelligence and independence, she was ahead of her time.
02:25Carmen, at her most fiery and flamenca, is now ready to bring China closer than ever to her intimate, tragic and hypnotic story.
02:34Ken Brown, CGTN, Madrid.