Last Friday evening, Miami’s cultural enthusiasts gathered at Lafayette Steakhouse for a rare and intimate prelude to one of the season’s most anticipated operatic revivals—Florida Grand Opera’s (FGO) powerful new production of Carmen. Hosted in partnership with Haute Living and Mr. Hospitality, this exclusive VIP cocktail celebration offered more than just elegance—it provided a personal glimpse into a revolutionary reimagining of Bizet’s timeless masterpiece.

As guests entered the sultry, candlelit atmosphere of Lafayette, they were greeted with a sensory feast: lush floral arrangements, Spanish-infused hors d’oeuvres, and flutes of whimsical Prosecco flowing freely; but the true centerpiece of the evening was a private performance by none other than Ginger Costa-Jackson, the internationally celebrated mezzo-soprano hailed as “the Carmen of all Carmens.”

Costa-Jackson, magnetic as ever in a jewel-toned ensemble and signature red lip, delivered a riveting rendition of Carmen’s iconic “Habanera,” her voice simmering with seduction and steel. It was a taste of what’s to come when she takes center stage at the Adrienne Arsht Center on April 12. Joining her for the evening were her sisters Marina and Miriam Costa-Jackson—acclaimed sopranos in their own right—who will alternate the role of Micaëla in the upcoming production. Their presence turned the event into an operatic family affair, marking the first time all three sisters will perform in the same opera.

Director Maria Todaro, who conceived and directs this groundbreaking Carmen, was also in attendance, offering poignant insights during a fireside-style chat moderated by FGO insiders. Carmen is not just a character, Todaro alluded. She is a symbol of liberation, especially in this production; and that statement is no mere metaphor.

Set during the Spanish Civil War of 1937, Todaro’s Carmen brings new urgency to Bizet’s beloved opera. This isn’t the flirtatious gypsy we’ve seen before. This Carmen is a fighter—a revolutionary woman risking everything for freedom, love, and survival. With this bold reinterpretation, Todaro honors both the resilience of women and her own familial ties to the opera. Her mother, Maria-Helena de Oliveira, once the youngest singer to debut as Carmen at La Monnaie, passed the mantle to her daughter in both performance and passion.

Also on hand were select members of the creative team and a few surprise cast members, hinting at the chemistry and artistic electricity brewing behind the scenes. Guests lingered over cocktails, exchanging thoughts on the transformative power of opera in turbulent times, and many later migrated to reserved dinner tables to continue the evening’s enchantment.

Beyond the glamour and star power, the event successfully whet the appetite for what promises to be a landmark production. With conductor Ramón Tebar at the helm and a cast that includes tenor Rafael Davila (Don José) and baritone Alexander Birch Elliott (Escamillo), FGO’s Carmen is poised to set a new standard for storytelling in opera.

Don’t Miss It: Carmen opens April 12–15 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami and continues April 24 & 26 in Broward. Tickets are on sale now at fgo.org or by calling 1-800-741-1010.

Whether you’re an opera aficionado or new to the genre, this Carmen is one you won’t want to miss—a searing, soulful spectacle that redefines what opera can be in the 21st century.

– S&P