Significant French Operas

Carmen

Opera comique in 4 acts

Music by Georges Bizet
(recitatives by Guiraud)

Libretto by Henri Meilhac
& Ludovic Halévy

First Performance: Opéra-Comique, Paris, March 3, 1875

Cast:
Carmen                                            Mezzo soprano
Don José                                           Lyric dramatic tenor
Escamillo                                          Baritone
Micaëla                                            Lyric soprano
Frasquita                                          Soprano
Mercedes                                           Mezzo soprano
Le Remendado                                 Tenor
Le Dancaire                                      Tenor or high baritone
Zuniga                                              Bass
Morales                                             Baritone
Chorus: SATTBB
Ballet: Gypsy dance in Act II; Extensive Spanish ballet in Act IV.

Background

Synopsis

     Act I. A square in Seville with bridge. To the left the guard house, opposite a cigarette factory. Micaëla appears seeking José, but is accosted by the impudent soldiers and retires. José approaches with the guard to relieve Morales. The commanding officer is Lieutenant Zuniga. The workpeople emerge from the factory. Carmen appears, wooed by all, with the exception of José, upon whom she has cast her eyes.  Micaëla, who loves José, brings him a letter and greeting from his mother. When she has gone, a tumult takes place in the factory and Zuniga arrests Carmen, who has been threatening her companions with a knife. She is placed in charge of José, who is beguiled by the coquette and he allows her to escape.
     Act II. Evening at a smuggler's Inn. Song and dance of the gypsies. The bull fighter Escamillo arrives and is boisterously greeted. They sing the Toreador song.Smuggler quintet of Dancaire, Rememdado, Carmen, Frasquita and Mercedes. Carmen refuses to accompany them, for she is waiting for her adored José, who has been arrested on her account and whose imprisonment has expired. José arrives and is prevented from rejoining his comrades. Surprised by Zuniga, he draws his sword upon his superior officer; the lieutenant is disarmed by the smugglers and José resolves to fly with Carmen.
     Act III. A rocky gorge, José arrives with the smugglers, but Carmen loves him no longer. Her inconstant heart now turns to Escamillo. A fight between José and Escamillo is narrowly averted by the smugglers. Micaëla arrives and tells José that his mother is dying, and with threats to Carmen he leaves the band.
     Act IV. A square before the arena at Seville. Festal procession of the bull fighters. Carmen promises herself to Escamillo if he returns victorious. As she is entering the arena she is confronted by the pale and despairing José. For the last time he demands her love and fidelity. When she coldly refuses he stabs her to the heart and she expires at the moment that the victorious Escamillo arrives upon the scene.

Libretto

• French libretto
• English libretto

Links

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Last updated: January 22, 2008