LA Opera will broadcast its opening-night "Carmen" free on giant LED screens at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, Oct. 17. The simulcast marks the 13th year the company has turned the shoreline into an open-air opera house.

The broadcast begins at 6 p.m. Pre-show activities start at 4 p.m.

Seven high-definition cameras inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles will capture the performance and project it onto the pier's outdoor screens, according to LA Opera. The simulcast will be sung in French with English and Spanish subtitles. Running time is about three hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.

The event is free, open to all ages and requires no tickets.

Domingo Hindoyan, opening his inaugural season as LA Opera's music director, will conduct the new production. Director and designer Thaddeus Strassberger created a staging inspired by Spanish Gothic imagery, according to OperaWire. The cast features Rihab Chaieb in the title role, Joshua Guerrero as Don José, Kathleen O'Mara as Micaëla, and Liam James Karai as Escamillo.

"Free events like this make the arts more accessible and create opportunities for Angelenos to come together and enjoy something special," LA County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said in a statement. Los Angeles County and Horvath's Third District office are funding the simulcast, with support from the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Pier Corporation.

Before the curtain rises, families can expect balloon art, face-painting, live performances by local artists, free LA Opera merchandise, a prize wheel and a drawing for a luxury gift basket.

Food vendors will be on-site.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, low lawn chairs and cushions. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. Large coolers, canopies, tents, sun umbrellas, alcohol and pets are not permitted. A bag check will be at the entrance.

Beach parking is available at 1550 Appian Way. The pier is also reachable via the Metro E Line's Downtown Santa Monica Station. LA Opera encourages RSVPs at laopera.org/beach for parking updates and a free gift.

This year also marks the first time LA Opera is staging a companion simulcast in Hacienda Heights, where "Opera in the Park" will screen the same performance at William Steinmetz Park starting at 4:30 p.m., as first reported by Hoodline.