The streets of Seville are coming to The Hexagon this April as Senbla presents Ellen Kent’s Farewell Opera Tour.
This production of Bizet’s Carmen promises an evening of passion, sexual jealousy, and some of the most famous arias in the operatic canon.
This farewell tour is a significant milestone for Ellen Kent, who has spent decades bringing high-quality opera to the UK.
Known for her lavish and visually stunning sets, Kent aims to create a “gasp factor” for her audiences.
She says: “I like my operas to look like a series of incredible paintings – colourful and beautiful.
“Beauty brings emotion.
“The most amazing feeling for me is when we create that factor and the audience have been known to clap the set before the action starts.”
A masterpiece of passion and tragedy
The production of Carmen features the Opera International Kyiv from Ukraine, accompanied by a full orchestra.
Audiences will hear unforgettable melodies. including The Toreador’s Song, Carmen’s enticing Habanera, and Don José’s lyrical Flower Song.
Starring international soloists such as mezzo-soprano Mariia Davydova and sopranos Elena Dee and Viktoria Melnyk, the performance will be sung in French with English subtitles.
The set design evokes the historic architecture of Seville’s main square, drawing on Roman and Moorish influences to ground the drama.
Critics have previously described Kent’s approach to this masterpiece as hot-blooded and a joy.
Who is Ellen Kent?
Ellen Kent is one of the UK’s most successful opera and ballet producers.
Over the past 30 years, she has pioneered the touring of international opera companies from Eastern Europe to the UK and Ireland. Her productions are celebrated for their traditional, grand-scale staging, often featuring spectacular effects and international soloists.
This farewell tour marks the conclusion of an era in British touring opera, offering fans one last chance to experience her signature “incredible painting” style of direction.
When is Ellen Kent’s Carmen coming to Reading, and how can I get tickets?
Carmen: Ellen Kent’s Farewell Opera Tour will be performed at The Hexagon on Friday, 10 April, 2026, from 7.30pm. The venue is located at Queen Walk, Reading, RG1 7QF.
Tickets are priced at £45, £42, and £37.50. Concessions are available with £2 off, and groups of 10 or more can receive a £3 discount per ticket. There is a limit of six tickets bookable online per customer.
To book tickets, call the Box Office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/carmen-ellen-kents-farewell-opera-tour
For group bookings of 10 or more, call 0118 937 2011 or email groupbookings@reading.gov.uk.
For wheelchair or access seats, please sign up to the Access List before contacting the Box Office at boxoffice@reading.gov.uk. Please note that certain seats may have restricted views of the surtitles.
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