Carmen

Title: Carmen
Composer: Georges Bizet
Premiere: 1875, French
Setting: 19th-century Spain
Main Characters:

• Carmen (a fiery gypsy)

• Don José (a soldier)

• Escamillo (a bullfighter)

• Micaëla (a village girl)

Plot Summary:
Carmen, a seductive and free-spirited gypsy, captivates Don José, a soldier, leading him to abandon his duty and his childhood sweetheart, Micaëla. He becomes obsessed with Carmen, but she soon tires of him and falls for the charismatic bullfighter Escamillo. Consumed by jealousy, Don José begs her to return to him, but she refuses, declaring she will always be free. In a fit of rage, he stabs her to death outside the bullring as the crowd cheers Escamillo’s victory inside.

Key Themes & Significance:
With its passionate characters, unforgettable melodies (such as the "Habanera" and "Toreador Song"), and dramatic realism, Carmen revolutionized opera. It explores themes of love, freedom, and fate, making it one of the most performed and enduring operas worldwide.