Carmen

Act 1. - In the square in front of the tobacco factory in Seville

The Basque Don José Lizzarabengoa had to leave his native country due to a crime. He is now trying to start a new life in Seville as a sergeant. His mother has moved near the city with the orphan Micaëla, for whom José has developed brotherly love. With the changing of the guard in front of the tobacco factory, José is informed that Micaëla has been looking for him. The factory bell announces the break. The soldiers and several curious onlookers are already waiting for the tobacco workers. Swarmed by the men, the gypsy Carmen is intrigued by José, he being the only one who shows no interest in her. Provocatively bold, she manages to attract his attention. When Micaëla returns, she gives José money and a letter from his mother. In it she asks him to come home soon and marry Micaëla. A tumult among the women leads to Carmen's arrest by Lieutenant Zuniga. She has allegedly hurt a colleague with a knife. Mesmerized by her character and with the prospect of a tryst in Lillas Pastia's tavern, José, who is supposed to bring Carmen to jail, lets her escape on the way. He is punished with arrest and demotion for his misdeed.

Act 2 - In Lillas Pastia's smugglers tavern

As closing time approaches, Zuniga announces his intention to visit Carmen later that night. As Lillas Pastia is trying to close, the famous toreador Escamillo from Granada enters the tavern promoting his next fight in Seville. He and Carmen meet for the first time. For now, the interest is only on Escamillo's side. Carmen is preoccupied with thoughts of José, having fallen in love with him. When all the guests have gone, she even refuses to take part in a smuggling operation of the gypsies to wait for him in order to thank him. After José finally arrives, their rendezvous is interrupted by the curfew signal. Carmen wants him to stay, but José is torn between love and duty. A quarrel develops. Suddenly his superior Zuniga appears, a complete surprise for José. A fight motivated by jealousy breaks out between them. Together with the gypsies Remendado and Dancaïro, José murders Zuniga. There is no turning back for him now. He joins the smugglers.

Act 3 - In the mountains

José is now living with Carmen and the gypsies. But the honeymoon is over, as Carmen discovers how much José's jealousy restricts her and his growing desire for a normal life distresses her. While consulting the cards with her friends Frasquita and Mercédès, she foresees her own death. Micaëla, who has taken off to the mountains in search of José, watches how José unexpectedly meets up with Escamillo. He tactlessly tells José of his passion for Carmen. The result is a heated duel which is interrupted by Carmen and the smugglers. Escamillo returns to the city. When Micaëla is discovered by the smugglers, she reports that José's mother is on her deathbed. Carmen sends him home, which only intensifies José's jealousy. Before he sets out, he makes it unmistakably clear to Carmen that he - in spite of Escamillo - will fight for her after his return.

Act 4 - In front of the arena in Seville

Escamillo's big day has arrived. The whole of Seville is on the way to the arena. Carmen makes an appearance at Escamillo's side and they openly confess their love for each other. José is also in the city. Although Carmen is warned by Frasquita and Mercédès, she tries to talk to him. The catastrophe is unavoidable. He begs her to forget all that has happened and to consider a new start together far away from Spain. Carmen does not relent. She has no interest in the life that José imagines. She wants her freedom and would rather die than give it up. Seized by blind anger and desperation, José stabs Carmen.

translated by Megan Hayes