Georges Bizet (bee-ZAY) was French, another prodigy! He was admitted to the Paris Conservatory to study music when he was only nine. He was the youngest student there, and he stayed for nine years, studying composition and piano. He won many awards for his playing. He is famous principally for his operas. Carmen is his most popular opera, but it was not a success when it was first presented. The audience was shocked by a girl smoking on stage and by the sensual story. Later audiences appreciated the wonderful music and were no longer shocked by the story. Unfortunately, Bizet died three months after the opening, so he never knew that it became a big hit. Even today, it is a very popular opera.

The story of Carmen takes place in Spain. However, because Bizet was French, the libretto is in French.

The Story of Carmen

Carmen is a gypsy girl who works in a factory in Seville, Spain. She fights with another girl and is arrested. Don José (hoeZAY), an army corporal, is ordered to arrest her, but after she sings Habanera and dances, he is charmed by her and lets her escape. He is arrested and put in jail. 

A month later, when he gets out of jail, Don José finds Carmen in a tavern with her gypsy friends. She has lost interest in Don José. When Escamillo, the bullfighter, sings his Toreador, fickle Carmen falls for him. Zuniga, Don José's boss, also likes Carmen. Don José and Zuniga fight over Carmen. The gypsies force Zuniga to leave. Since Don José has pulled a knife on Zuniga, his commanding officer, he knows he is in trouble. Don José decides to run off with Carmen and the band of gypsies who are smugglers.