Pauline Adamek
Bizet’s masterpiece arrives onstage in a brand-new production drenched in Spanish Gothic splendor. Passion, jealousy and some of the most irresistible music ever written take center stage under the stars when LA Opera brings Carmen to audiences across Los Angeles—live and free on the big screen.
Pack a picnic, grab your blankets and lawn chairs at 6pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for a spectacular night of opera at William Steinmetz Park in Hacienda Heights or at the Santa Monica Pier. The performance of Bizet’s beloved masterpiece will be transmitted live from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, captured in high-definition video by seven cameras and projected onto giant LED screens at both locations. The simulcasts will feature subtitles in both English and Spanish.
In his first performance as the company’s new Music Director, Domingo Hindoyan will conduct a striking new production steeped in Spanish Gothic mystery, directed and designed by Thaddeus Strassberger. Dance takes center stage throughout the production, with dazzling choreography by Antonio Najarro, one of the world’s leading figures in flamenco and Spanish dance. The cast is led by Rihab Chaieb in the title role, with Joshua Guerrero as Don José, Kathleen O’Mara as Micaëla and Liam James Karai as the bullfighter Escamillo.
Thanks to generous support from Los Angeles County, LA Opera will present both simulcasts free of charge as a special gift to the community.
Carmen will mark LA Opera’s thirteenth “Opera at the Beach” simulcast at the Santa Monica Pier. This will be the first time LA Opera brings its annual live simulcast to Hacienda Heights, where “Opera in the Park” will take place at William Steinmetz Park.
“I’m thrilled to welcome LA Opera back to the Santa Monica Pier for a free simulcast of Carmen, bringing world-class opera directly to our communities,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who represents the Third District. “Free events like this make the arts more accessible and create opportunities for Angelenos to come together and enjoy something special. Gather your friends and family, bring a blanket, and join us for an unforgettable night of music by the Pacific.”
“I am proud to partner with LA Opera to bring this world-class performance to Hacienda Heights. For many, this may be their first opportunity to experience opera in their own community, and that is what makes events like this so meaningful. I look forward to welcoming families from across the San Gabriel Valley for an unforgettable evening of music, culture and connection.” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.
Although no tickets are required for admission, guests are encouraged to sign up in advance at LAOpera.org/Beach or LAOpera.org/Park for important parking information and the latest updates, and to receive a free gift at the event.
Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and arrive early to secure the best viewing areas—and to make an afternoon of it. Pre-show festivities at both locations will include family-friendly crafts with LA Opera Connects, balloon art and face-painting, live performances by local artists, giveaways, food vendors and more. Outside alcoholic beverages and pets are not permitted.
About Carmen
Carmen is desirable, defiant and driven—a fiercely independent woman determined to live and love on her own terms. She thinks nothing of charming the soldier Don José to escape a spot of trouble, never imagining that he will abandon his childhood sweetheart, Micaëla, and desert his post to follow her. But Don José is a dangerously jealous lover, and when Carmen turns her attention to the dashing bullfighter Escamillo, his obsession takes a dark—and deadly—turn.
This new staging was created by director/designer Thaddeus Strassberger. Set in a Seville suspended between centuries, the production unfolds against a world of unyielding tradition, where religious devotion, superstition, desire and danger collide. Domingo Hindoyan opens his inaugural season as Music Director with one of the world’s most iconic scores.
Opera in the Park—William Steinmetz Park
For detailed information about the Hacienda Heights simulcast, please visit LAOpera.org/Park. The park is located at 1545 S. Stimson Ave., Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. Free parking is available at the park.
Pre-show festivities at William Steinmetz Park will begin at 4:30pm, with additional attractions including lawn games and caricature portraits.
For more information about William Steinmetz Park, click here.
Opera at the Beach—Santa Monica Pier
For detailed information about the Santa Monica Pier simulcast, please visit LAOpera.org/Beach. The Santa Monica Pier is located at the western terminus of Colorado Avenue. Parking information can be found at SantaMonica.com/transportation/parking. Attendees can arrive by public transit, exiting the Metro E Line at Downtown Santa Monica Station.
Gates to the opera viewing area will open at 4pm.
For more information about the Santa Monica Pier, please visit SantaMonicaPier.org.
For additional information about the production, please visit LAOpera.org/Carmen.
About LA Opera
Inspired by the extraordinary diversity and creativity of Los Angeles, LA Opera embraces that spirit through performances that continually redefine what opera can be. Through imaginative new productions, world premiere commissions, and fresh perspectives on foundational works that make them feel immediate and compelling, LA Opera has become one of America’s most exciting and ambitious opera companies.
In addition to its mainstage performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, LA Opera explores new artistic possibilities through LA Opera Off Grand, presenting adventurous works in venues throughout Los Angeles that expand and enrich the operatic repertoire. The LA Opera Connects department offers a robust array of educational programs and community engagement initiatives that reach people throughout Los Angeles County. Learn more at LAOpera.org.
