Italy’s acclaimed Balletto di Milano will perform its original production of Carmen in Athens for the first time on July 15, 2026, bringing its celebrated interpretation of Prosper Mérimée’s classic story to the Veakeio Theater.
Based on Mérimée’s novella, best known worldwide through Georges Bizet’s opera of the same name, Carmen tells the tragic story of a fiercely independent woman whose desire for freedom is ultimately destroyed by a man’s consuming jealousy. The ballet explores themes of love, passion and fate through expressive choreography and theatrical staging.
Regarded as one of Italy’s leading ballet companies, Balletto di Milano is known for its neoclassical style, combining classical ballet technique with contemporary movement. The ensemble’s dancers are trained at the renowned La Scala Academy, and the company has performed extensively across Italy as well as on major stages in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, Germany and Cyprus.
View this post on Instagram
Since 1998, the company has been led by choreographer Carlo Pesta, whose artistic direction has helped shape Balletto di Milano’s distinctive style and technical excellence.
The production has been praised for its bold choreography, dramatic lighting and striking stage design, with performances consistently selling out. Its reinterpretation of Carmen offers a fresh perspective on one of literature’s most enduring stories while preserving the emotional intensity that has captivated audiences for generations.
The ballet features music by Georges Bizet, choreography by Agnese Omodei Sale and Federico Veratti, stage design by Marco Pesta and artistic direction by Carlo Pesta.
