'Hold Me, Softly' follows the blossoming friendship between a reclusive video-game designer and her charming new neighbor. As they talk through the most profound tears and laughter along the curbside, their heartwarming story captures the essence of summer and the promise of hopeful beginnings.

Director Carrie Cracknell reinvigorates one of opera’s most popular works with a new staging that modernizes Bizet’s tale of deadly passion. Mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina stars in the irresistible title role, alongside tenor Piotr Beczala as her lover Don Jose. Daniele Rustioni conducts.