West Bay Opera is closing its season with "Carmen," by Georges Bizet, with performances beginning on Friday, May 25, on the Lucie Stern Theatre stage in Palo Alto.

Other performances are May 27, and June 2 and 3.

The West Bay production is set in 1930s Seville, during the Spanish Civil War. This affords it "a fascinating backdrop for the exploration of social, political and gender issues that are part of the story," says West Bay General Director Jose Luis Moscovich.

The cast includes mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz in the title role and tenor Salomone Atti as Don Jose. Baritone Krassen Karagiozov sings the role of Escamillo, and Maria Fernanda Brea, whom Moscovich describes as an "up-and-coming Venezuelan soprano," appears as Micaela.

The production also features members of Ragazzi Boys chorus. And Kerensa DeMars, who directs the San Francisco Flamenco Dance Company, has come on board "to get our singers to feel the flamenco vibe and deliver something genuine on stage," Moscovich says.

Moscovich conducts, and stage direction is by Richard Harrell.

Tickets are $40 to $85, with group discounts given. They can be reserved by calling 650-424-9999, or online at WBOpera.org. More information about the production may be obtained on the website.

The Lucie Stern Theatre is at 1305 Middlefield Road.