Carmen is the best-known work by French composer Georges Bizet, and one of the most famous operas in the entire art form – numbers such as the Habanera and the Toreador Song have permeated the popular consciousness as little else has. This ever-popular opera is given a fresh point of view in Barrie Kosky’s highly physical production. The Australian director is one of the world’s most sought-after opera directors. For Carmen he has devised a farfrom-traditional version, incorporating music written by Bizet for the score but not usually heard, and giving a new voice to the opera’s endlessly fascinating central character.