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Sasha Cooke brings sharp intelligence to Seattle Opera’s Caribbean-tinged Carmen

Sasha Cooke (Carmen) and Christian Pursell (Escamillo)
© Sunny Martini
Sasha Cooke (Carmen) and Matthew Cairns (Don José)
© Sunny Martini
Meredith Wohlgemuth (Frasquita) Christian Pursell (Escamillo) and Melody Wilson (Mercédès)
© Sunny Martini
Seattle Opera Chorus
© Sunny Martini
Matthew Cairns (Don José) and Kathleen O'Mara (Micaëla)
© Sunny Martini
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“Cooke’s Carmen seemed constantly to assess the social dynamics around her”
Reviewed at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Seattle on 8 May 2026
Bizet, Carmen
Seattle Opera
Ludovic Morlot, Conductor
Paul Curran, Director, Choreography
Gary McCann, Set Designer, Costume Designer
Paul Hackenmueller, Lighting Designer
Seattle Symphony
Seattle Opera Chorus
Sasha Cooke, Carmen
Matthew Cairns, Don José
Christian Pursell, Escamillo
Kathleen O'Mara, Micaëla
Darren Drone, Zuniga
Melody Wilson, Mercédès
Meredith Wohlgemuth, Frasquita
Daniel O'Hearn, Le Remendado
Navasard Hakobyan, Le Dancaïre
Ilya Silchukou, Moralès
Michaella Calzaretta, Choirmaster / chorus director
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