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On 2 July 2019, The Royal Opera's production of Bizet's Carmen will be livestreamed for free from 6.30pm BST via the Royal Opera House's Facebook and Youtube pages.

The livestream is part of BP Big Screens, which offers UK audiences the chance to experience free culture on their doorstep with free outdoor relays of productions from Covent Garden to parks and squares around the UK.

The Royal Opera's production of Carmen sees award-winning director Barrie Kosky provides a refreshing perspective on this well-known opera. He explores Carmen's ever-changing nature - marked by her series of contrasting costumes - and her vitality through dance. The pre-recorded voice of a narrator (perhaps Carmen herself) ensures that we experience the whole story from her perspective, and the production's unique performing edition (by Michael Rot) offers a chance for audience members to hear music Bizet omitted from the opera's first performances.

Carmen had only lukewarm success at its 1875 premiere - perhaps due to its unconventional subject - but soon became immensely popular, and has remained so. Its glorious score boasts a host of wonderful melodies, including Carmen's sensual Habanera and Seguidilla, Don José's tender Flower Aria and Escamillo's rousing Toreador's Song. There are also passionate duologues, above all the intense, final confrontation between Carmen and Don José.

Watch live from 7pm BST on 2 July 2019: