Darkness without passion: Damiano Michieletto’s Carmen at La Scala

Clémentine Margaine (Carmen)

Vittorio Grigolo (Don José) and Clémentine Margaine (Carmen)

Clémentine Margaine (Carmen) and Giorgi Manoshvili (Escamillo)

By Laura Servidei, 14 June 2026

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“there is little sensuality, seduction or genuine passion”

Reviewed at Teatro alla Scala, Milan on 12 June 2026

Bizet, Carmen

Teatro alla Scala

Myung-whun Chung, Conductor

Damiano Michieletto, Director

Paolo Fantin, Set Designer

Carla Teti, Costume Designer

Alessandro Carletti, Lighting Designer

Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala

Coro del Teatro alla Scala

Clémentine Margaine, Carmen

Vittorio Grigolo, Don José

Giorgi Manoshvili, Escamillo

Slávka Zámečníková, Micaëla

Sarah Dufresne, Frasquita

Marine Chagnon, Mercédès

Pierre Doyen, Le Dancaïre

Loïc Félix, Le Remendado

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Laura Servidei

Mathematician, science nerd, translator of popular science books, obsessed opera fan since the teen years. Day job: business analyst in a software house developing systems for the financial industry. Amateur choral singer. Main musical interests: baroque music and Italian opera. Originally from Italy, currently based in Sweden. I make a mean eggplant parmesan.

Darkness without passion: Damiano Michieletto’s Carmen arrives at La Scala