J.R. Cassidy and the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra are teaming with an excellent cast and members of the School of the Arts at NKU for a full concert presentation of George Bizet’s “Carmen.” The concert staging — 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 28 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30 in Greaves Concert Hall, NKU — is timed for the 150th anniversary of the premiere of “Carmen” in March, 1875, in Paris.

Besides its freespirited title character, it’s an opera that features one great tune after another. As a soldier (DonJose) and bullfighter (Escamillo) compete for Carmen’s attention, the affair spirals out of control, leading to her demise.

Mezzo-soprano Kirstin Chávez stars in the title role. Her interpretation of Carmen has taken her around globe and into such celebrated venues as Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Arena di Verona in Italy, and the Welsh National Opera. Matthew Pearce, a native of Northern Kentucky is Don Jose. This season, he sings Don Pizzarro in Paer’s Leonora (Chicago Opera Theatre) and the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto (Pacific Opera Victoria).

Baritone Morgan Smith takes on the role of the bullfighter Escamillo. He has created 16 roles in world premieres, including Starbuck in Jake Heggie’s celebrated Moby-Dick. Smith has also earned praise for performances in traditional repertoire, notably Escamillo (Carmen), the title role of Don Giovanni, Sharpless (Madama Butterfly), Count Alamaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Four Villains (Les contes d’Hoffmann), and the title role of Eugene Onegin. Recently, Morgan’s work as Richard in Kevin Puts’ The Hours has been heard in workshops with Cincinnati Opera and The Metropolitan Opera.

James Cassidy will conduct. The production will be directed by Audrey Chait, who is on the artistic staff at Cincinnati Opera, and has been a member of the NKU music department faculty since 2019.  Local students and area singers will fill out the cast, along with NKU choirs, dancers, and youth choirs from the prep department and Ignite.

For additional info and tickets — kyso.org or (859) 431-6216.