Carmen

Synopsis

ACT I: THE SQUARE OF A SMALL TOWN

Men and women are relaxing in the midday sun. The factory women come out into the fresh air for their afternoon break. Among them is the independent Carmen, who sings a song about love. She throws a flower to Don José, a policeman who is immediately drawn to her. José is distracted by the arrival of Micaëla, a young woman who brings a message from his distant mother.

Micaëla departs, and a quarrel erupts among the factory women. In the fray, Carmen slashes the face of one of her coworkers and is arrested. Alone with Don José, she seduces him and persuades him to set her free. Don José’s superior, Zuniga, reprimands him for letting the prisoner get away.

ACT II: ABOUT A MONTH LATER IN A NIGHTCLUB

Carmen is waiting for the return of Don José, who has been imprisoned for helping her escape. The nightclub is the secret meeting place of a group of weapons smugglers known to Carmen. They want her and her friends, Mercédès and Frasquita, to help them on a job that evening, but Carmen refuses: José has been released from prison, and she knows that he will come to her that evening.

The famous bullfighter Escamillo pays a visit to the nightclub and describes the excitement of his sport, and being in the arena. Carmen and Escamillo feel an immediate attraction to one another and share a flirtatious exchange.

Carmen gets the smugglers to leave when she hears José approaching. Their romantic reunion is interrupted by the call to return to headquarters. When José begins to leave, Carmen mocks him. He declares his love for her, explaining how he cherished the flower from their first meeting during his time in prison. Zuniga arrives, looking for Carmen. In a jealous rage, José attacks his commander. The smugglers break up the fight and bundle off Zuniga as their hostage. José realises he has no choice but to join Carmen and the smugglers.

INTERVAL

ACT III: TWO WEEKS LATER

The smugglers are operating from their hideout in the mountains. Don José and Carmen are quarrelling. Her love for him is fading, and she advises him to go and live with his mother. Carmen and her friends begin a series of tarot card readings. Frasquita and Mercédès see a future filled with love and money. Carmen’s cards spell death.

Micaëla has followed José to the smugglers’ hideout. She hides when José challenges an intruder, who turns out to be Escamillo, seeking Carmen. The two men fight and are separated by the smugglers. As Escamillo departs, he invites Carmen to his next bullfight. Micaëla emerges from her hiding place with a message to Don José from his mother: the old lady is dying, and she is desperate for him to return home. He agrees to leave, warning Carmen that they will see each other again.

ACT IV: A FEW DAYS LATER

Accompanied by Carmen, Escamillo prepares for his bullfight while a noisy crowd cheers him outside. Carmen’s friends warn her that Don José is lurking nearby. Unafraid, she waits for him and informs him that their affair is over. He begs her to return to him, but she refuses and asserts her freedom. José kills her.