Carmen - Northern Ireland Opera at the Grand Opera House

What to Expect

Northern Ireland Opera brings Bizet’s Carmen to the Grand Opera House from 12 to 19 September 2026, with performances on 12, 15, 17 and 19 September. Carmen is one of the most performed operas in the world, telling the story of a passionate, independent woman who challenges the conventions of her time as she pursues seduction, love and freedom, with tragic consequences. The score includes some of opera’s best-known numbers, among them the Habanera and the Toreador Song. The Grand Opera House describes it as one of the greatest operas ever written, and this production runs to around three hours including an interval.

Northern Ireland Opera is the region’s national opera company, and a full staging of Carmen at the Grand Opera House is one of the bigger classical dates on the Belfast autumn calendar, drawing an audience well beyond regular opera-goers thanks to how familiar the music is. The four-performance spread over eight days, rather than a nightly run, means it is worth booking early for the date that suits, particularly around the audio-described performance if that access option is needed. Sung in the original French with English surtitles projected above the stage, it is accessible to newcomers as well as seasoned opera audiences.

Good to Know

• Runs Saturday 12 September to Saturday 19 September 2026, with performances on 12, 15, 17 and 19 September
• Performance times 2:30pm and 7:30pm depending on the date; check goh.co.uk for the exact schedule
• Running time approximately 3 hours including an interval
• Tickets from £41 up to £65, including booking fees
• Recommended for ages 12 and over
• Audio-described performance on Thursday 17 September at 7:30pm
• Sung in French with English surtitles
• Box office: 028 9024 1919, Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm

Getting There

The Grand Opera House is on Great Victoria Street in Belfast city centre, next to the Europa Hotel and Europa Bus Centre, with Great Victoria Street train station a two-minute walk away. Multi-storey parking is available on Grosvenor Road and at Victoria Square nearby.