Travel
Free outdoor performance of Carmen coming to Busan’s North Port on July 11-12
Haps Magazine Korea
June 22, 2026
(Illustration by Classic Busan/courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
Busan residents will have the chance to enjoy one of the world’s most beloved operas this summer as Classical Busan presents a free outdoor production of Carmen at the North Port Landmark Site on July 11 and 12.
The large-scale performance is part of the lead-up to the opening of the Busan Opera House and aims to make world-class opera accessible to a wider audience.
Set against the backdrop of Busan’s waterfront, the production will be conducted by Classical Busan Artistic Director Chung Myung-whun and feature the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra (APO), internationally acclaimed soloists, local choirs and dance performers.
Composed by Georges Bizet, Carmen remains one of the most frequently performed operas in the world. The story follows the passionate and tragic relationship between the free-spirited Carmen and soldier Don José, while iconic pieces such as the “Habanera” and the “Toreador Song” continue to captivate audiences more than a century after the opera’s premiere.
The production follows last year’s successful concert version of Carmen at Busan Concert Hall, which received strong praise from audiences and critics.
This year’s outdoor staging will expand the scale of the performance, using the open North Port setting to create a more immersive theatrical experience.
French mezzo-soprano Michèle Losier returns in the title role after earning acclaim for her previous portrayal of Carmen. She will be joined by tenor Kim Jung-hoon as Don José, baritone Lee Dong-hwan as Escamillo and Busan-based baritone Ahn Se-beom as Morales.
The performance will also feature the Classical Busan Choir, the Haeundae Boys and Girls Choir, and Kairos Dance Company, adding further scale and spectacle to the production.
Food trucks and refreshment areas will be available throughout the venue, while audiences can choose between reserved chair seating near the stage or a picnic zone where they can enjoy the performance under the summer night sky.
Admission is free, with tickets available from 2 p.m. on June 24 through the Classical Busan website.