It is always a highlight seeing the Welsh National Opera at the Empire. 

Loyal fans welcome this world renowned company with open arms. They are always innovative and never predictable.

The recent touring version of Carmen part of a package including William Tell and Moses in Egypt is another box office hit.

This current interpretation of Carmen is just what you would expect from the WNO - creatively challenging in every way.

The opera from Bizet has has had many make overs in its glorious history. 

The tale of the gypsy queen is immortalised via wonderful melodies, beautiful poetic words and sparkling performances that make it one of the great classics.

WNO never disappoint.

When you think of Carmen here played with real gusto by Alessandra Volpe and you think of colour and romance.

Carmen's eternal theme is of love gone right, gone wrong love and caught spectacularly in the middle.

This version of Carmen in 2014 is a darker, bloodier piece. 

That said, it is as joyful as it is shady.

The lighting is a brilliant support act here. Characters almost dance with their shadows,

The set -  inspired by the work of Goya-  is sparse and at times, it is reminiscent of Les Miserables .

The tale of a soldier who s beguiled, hoodwinked by a tobacco worker who falls for a charismatic bullfighter is pure melodrama and with rousing choruses and beautiful arias it remains one of the all time audience  favourites as the enthusiastic sold out Empire showed with numerous curtain calls.

This is four act stylish production is brave and adventurous.

It boldly goes where no other versions have gone before.

From the opening dark sequence to a beautifully choreographed scene in a bullfighting arena, it us a celebration of light and shade.

Humour is abundant and some find comic touches add colour like Goya's art to the proceedings.

In three hours , this opera sung in French with electronic sub titles overhead in the Empire takes the audience back to Spain before the EU and where love, passion, betrayal were the politics of the day.

A very thought provoking production featuring all the hallmarks of the WNO who never rest on their laurels.

WNO remain a company who are welcome in Liverpool any time and I, like all their fans, look forward to what they bring next time.