Original 1874 version of Bizet's Carmen premieres at Festival della Valle d'Itria in Martina Franca

The 52nd Festival della Valle d'Itria staged the world’s first fully staged performance of Georges Bizet’s original 1874 version of Carmen in the courtyard of the Palazzo Ducale, Martina Franca, Italy. The production ran from July 25 to August 2, 2026, concluding the festival’s program. Musical direction was provided by Fabio Luisi, with Denis Krief directing the stage. The cast featured mezzo‑soprano Deniz Uzun as Carmen, Natalia Tanasii as Micaëla, Matteo Lippi as Don José and Alessandro Luongo as Escamillo. Musicologist Paul Prévost recovered the original manuscript, revealing a version that omits the famous Habanera, includes extensive melodramas, and ends with a dramatically different fourth act. The event attracted sold‑out audiences and international critical attention, highlighting a major rediscovery in operatic repertoire.