Carmen

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Carmen is a well-known opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet. The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée. The opera premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on March 3, 1875, and has since become one of the most frequently performed operas in the classical canon.

Plot Summary

The story is set in Seville, Spain, around 1820, and follows the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by the fiery gypsy Carmen. José abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts from his military duties, only to lose Carmen's love to the glamorous toreador Escamillo, after which José kills her in a jealous rage.

Act 1

The opera opens in a square in Seville, where soldiers are relaxing and watching the townspeople. Micaëla, a young woman from the countryside, arrives looking for Don José. Carmen makes her entrance and sings the famous "Habanera" about the untameable nature of love. She throws a flower at José, who is instantly smitten. Later, Carmen is arrested for attacking another woman but seduces José into letting her escape.

Act 2

At Lillas Pastia's inn, Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercédès entertain the guests. Escamillo, the bullfighter, arrives and flirts with Carmen. José, who has been demoted and imprisoned for letting Carmen escape, arrives and declares his love for her. Carmen persuades him to desert the army and join her and the smugglers.

Act 3

In the mountains, the smugglers are resting. Carmen and José's relationship is strained. Frasquita and Mercédès read their fortunes in the cards, predicting death. Micaëla arrives to bring José back to his dying mother, but he refuses to leave Carmen. Escamillo arrives, and he and José fight. They are interrupted by the smugglers, and Escamillo invites everyone to his next bullfight.

Act 4

Outside the bullring in Seville, a festive crowd gathers. Carmen and Escamillo declare their love. Micaëla tells José that his mother is dying, but he is obsessed with Carmen. He confronts her, and when she tells him that she no longer loves him, he stabs her to death.

Music

The music of Carmen has been widely acclaimed for its brilliance and originality. The opera contains many well-known arias, such as the "Habanera" and the "Toreador Song." Bizet's use of Spanish musical elements and his orchestration have been particularly praised.

Legacy

Carmen was initially met with mixed reviews but has since become one of the most popular and frequently performed operas worldwide. It has been adapted into numerous films, ballets, and other works.

Related Pages

• Georges Bizet
• Opera
• Seville
• Toreador
• Opéra-Comique
• Prosper Mérimée