Czech bass-baritone Adam Plachetka has triumphed in his debut as Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera in New York. His performance follows a successful run of appearances as Leporello in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the same opera house.
Critics agree that Plachetka impressed not only with his charisma and vocal authority but has, in their words, become a true legend of the Met.
As OperaWire wrote:
“Adam Plachetka as Escamillo was excellent in his role. His voice resonated with brilliance and robustness in the Met’s hall as he celebrated himself as Escamillo… Plachetka’s performance of his most famous aria, ‘Votre toast (Toreador Song),’ was another major highlight of the night… Plachetka is a Met opera legend.”
(Jennifer Pyron, OperaWire, October 31, 2025)
New York Classical Review also praised his exceptional portrayal:
“The excellent bass-baritone Adam Plachetka as Escamillo – here not as a bullfighter but rather a rodeo star in a place that feels somewhere in the American Southwest… Escamillo is fundamental to the shifts in the characters’ relationships, and Plachetka’s ability to be comical and blustery, charismatic and also arrogant, made this work. His Toreador Song ‘Votre toast’ was snappy, with a touch of professional wrestling showmanship.”
(George Grella, New York Classical Review, October 29, 2025)
Adam Plachetka took his first steps into this new role on October 28, with performances continuing throughout November. Under the baton of French conductor Fabien Gabel, the cast features an all-star lineup: Isabel Leonard as Carmen, Michael Fabiano as Don José, and Kristina Mkhitaryan as Micaëla.
More about the production:
🔗 Metropolitan Opera – Carmen
