Over 55,000 people – Israelis and tourists - enjoyed the criticallyacclaimed 2011 Israeli Opera Festival in Masada and Jerusalem, which featured a spectacular production of Aida, conducted by Maestro Daniel Oren, at the foot of Mount Masada and the Israeli premiere of Verdi’s Jerusalem, performed against the backdrop of the Old City walls in Jerusalem.

The final “curtain” may have only just fallen - but preparations and ticket sales are well underway for the 2012 Israeli Opera Festival at the lowest point on earth.

Next year will feature a spectacular mega-production of George Bizet’s Carmen, a colourful and much-loved opera in which the free spirited gypsy Carmen sings about freedom as she falls in love with the soldier José and then with the toreador Escamillo.