A wag once said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture and summing up the sights and sounds of this incredible opera leaves you feeling some sympathy for that viewpoint.

David McVicar's 2002 production, revived for Glyndebourne by Lee Blakely, bristles with earthy sensuality and lavishes the audiences with stunning sets, gorgeous costumes and heavenly sounds.

Bizet's opera is one of the most popular shows at Glyndebourne and its soaring melodies, huge choruses, and familiar toe-tapping tunes make it one of the most accessible operas.

It's a heady tale of lust, jealousy and tragedy, superbly realised and full of passion.

Katherine Rohrer is stunning as the eponymous Gypsy, an uncontrollable force of nature and siren to the hapless Don Jose.

The beauty of Bizet's masterpiece fizzes with name-calling, hair-pulling, groping, dancing, boozing and scratching, in a wonderful spectacle of life.

Brutish soldiers, prancing matadors, braying and gossiping cigarette girls, fill Glyndebourne's massive stage and barge their way through tableaux of factories, bullrings and Stygian candle-lit Seville bars.

The magnificent production is utterly captivating and engrossing.

It's also the second opera in the Glyndebourne on Tour season, premiering in East Sussex before touring the country.

It is not part of the summer 'season' which means less Champagne and posh frocks, but it's a far more relaxed atmosphere with cheaper admission - starting at just £14 for the cheapest and £56 for the most expensive.

Glyndebourne is always a wonderful place to be and strolling around the grounds on an autumn night is an added attraction, even if you find yourself thinking that it's likely to cost you as much to heat your home this winter as it recently cost to heat, power and water the whole estate.

But for just one evening you should forget the gathering gloom of long dark nights and the spectre of economic recession and bask in the warmth of this amazing visual and aural treat.

Carmen continues at Glyndebourne on Sunday October 26 at 4pm, Wednesday October 29 at 6.30pm, and Saturday 1 November 4pm.

For tickets visit www.glyndebourne.com/tickets or call 01273 813813.