A monumental opera on the big screen
On 3 September 2026, Cines Lys will screen Carmen, the iconic opera by Georges Bizet, in a cinematic version filmed at the Roman Quarry of St. Margarethen (Austria), a UNESCO World Heritage site. This production, directed by filmmaker and stage director Arnaud Bernard, leverages the quarry’s towering rock walls to create a unique setting where nature takes centre stage, amplifying the dramatic intensity of the work.
A production without limits
The scale of this production redefines what it means to stage an opera outdoors. The Quarry of St. Margarethen, with its 60-metre height and 200-metre width, transforms into a Seville carved into the earth, where the characters—played by Sofia Vinnik (Carmen), Marco di Sapia (Escamillo), and Vanessa Vasquez—move within a space that defies the conventions of traditional theatres. The chemistry between the performers and the power of the arias, such as the famous Habanera, transcend the screen thanks to high-definition filming.
Practical details
- Price: €11 (general admission).
- Venue: Cines Lys (Passeig de Russafa, 3, Valencia).
- Format: Cinematic screening of the opera recording.
If you want to experience an operatic event in a unique natural setting, this is your chance to enjoy Carmen as you’ve never seen it before.
