Last year, when Damiano Michieletto’s production of Carmen first appeared at the Royal Opera House, Aigul Akhmetshina’s received great praise for her performance in the title role. This year she has returned even better. This Russian mezzo-soprano has developed into the perfect Carmen. Quite apart from a beautiful voice which is particularly powerful on the low notes in Bizet’s score, her acting is deliciously commanding, making it clear why she has total control over the many men in her…