Long Long, hailed for his “lustrous tone and expressive phrasing” (Opera Now), has quickly established himself as one of the most compelling tenors of his generation. This debut marks his first appearance on a major U.S. festival stage and follows a season of critically acclaimed performances in Vienna, Paris, and Tokyo.

Joining him is Polish baritone Simon Mechlinski, praised for his “vocal warmth and charismatic presence” (Opera Magazine), who continues to gain international attention for his nuanced portrayals in the lyric baritone repertoire. Following recent debuts in Berlin, Warsaw, and Brussels, this Santa Fe engagement represents an exciting new chapter in his flourishing career.

Directed by James Robinson, the production promises a fresh visual approach to Puccini’s classic opera. Long Long and Mechlinski will appear alongside an international cast under the baton of conductor Andrew J. Smith.

Santa Fe Opera’s 2025 season runs from June to August, with La bohème scheduled for multiple performances throughout the summer.

The only truly impressive aspect of this “Carmen” is its Carmen: the 27-year-old mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina, in turquoise cowboy boots. Though this icon of the repertory is her first leading role at the Met, she seems unfazed by the pressure, singing with easily penetrating evenness and clarity, never needing to push. Her molten yet agile tone can be confiding one moment and extroverted the next, and she moves with magnetic naturalness onstage. The only truly impressive aspect of this “Carmen” is its Carmen: the 27-year-old mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina, in turquoise cowboy boots. Though this icon of the repertory is her first leading role at the Met, she seems unfazed by the pressure, singing with easily penetrating evenness and clarity, never needing to push. Her molten yet agile tone can be confiding one moment and extroverted the next, and she moves with magnetic naturalness onstage.
The only truly impressive aspect of this “Carmen” is its Carmen: the 27-year-old mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina, in turquoise cowboy boots. Though this icon of the repertory is her first leading role at the Met, she seems unfazed by the pressure, singing with easily penetrating evenness and clarity, never needing to push. Her molten yet agile tone can be confiding one moment and extroverted the next, and she moves with magnetic naturalness onstage.