Following his triumphant Washington National Opera debut as Don José in Carmen, Bryan Hymel reprises the role at the Royal Opera House in Francesca Zambello’s production of Bizet’s masterpiece. The American tenor made his Royal Opera House debut in 2010 to great acclaim, singing “Bizet’s music with a refinement that few tenors manage” (The Times). Bryan has since returned to the Covent Garden stage to perform Aeneas in Berlioz’s Les Troyens, which was released on Blu-ray and DVD by Opus Arte.

Bryan appears in Carmen opposite Elena Maximova, Alexander Vinogradov and Nicole Car under the baton of Bertrand de Billy from October 19 through November 10.

Bryan Hymel, “reigning American tenor du jour in the French repertory,” joined Washington National Opera for his house debut in Bizet’s Carmen (Washington Post). Returning to the role of Don José, Bryan triumphs as the troubled character, who “has the greatest journey from straightlaced soldier to crazed killer and has the gravitas to pull it off and the pipes too” (DCMetroTheaterArts).

Bachtrack praises Bryan’s “transition from respectable soldier to scruffy outsider to lawless killer,” remarking that “his high B flat to end the Flower Song was movingly quiet, evoking that ‘loss of tenor force’ of which Parker speaks, as he submits to Carmen’s sway. By the end, he gets his (vocal and actual) force back by exerting violence on her.”

The American tenor is celebrated for his moving performances, and “changes easily between abject devotion (both to Carmen and initial sweetheart Michaëla) and threatening rage, so that fear for Carmen’s life becomes not only realistic but extremely palpable in the final moments” (MDTheaterGuide).

Bryan continues his Washington National Opera debut run through September 26, performing alongside Clémentine Margaine, Michael Todd Simpson, and Janai Brugger.

Following a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth at Teatro alla Scala, Bryan Hymel travels to the U.S. for his house debut in Bizet’s Carmen at the Washington National Opera. Bryan sings Don José, a role he performed to great acclaim in 2010, having enchanted the audience who “sat breathlessly during the arias in the repertoire” (La Nacional).

The American tenor continues the role of Don José at the Royal Opera House in London, performing alongside Elena Maximova, and Anita Rachvelishvili as Bizet’s heroine.

Closing out 2015, Bryan performs the title role in Berlioz’s La Damnation de Faust at Opéra Bastille with Sophie Koch and the Opéra National de Paris.

Discover Bryan’s full schedule here.

American tenor Bryan Hymel’s debut solo album Héroïque has been honored with the coveted ECHO Klassik award in the category of Newcomer of the Year. In addition to the honor, Héroïque was also recognized by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) with the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.

Bryan brings his signature interpretation of heroic French arias in his Warner Classics and Erato album, highlighting works by Rossini, Berlioz, Verdi, Gounod, and Meyerbeer.

The American tenor can be seen in the video recording of Royal Opera House’s production of Les Vêpres Siciliennes. The release also received a Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. Bryan’s performance in Verdi’s grand opera garnered critical acclaim, with Bloomberg Businessweek celebrating his “seductive voice with a powerful, easy top.”

Hear Bryan’s high C’s in Héroïque and discover the “first-rate casting” (The Telegraph) of Les Vêpres Siciliennes here.