The Setting of Carmen
Seville, Spain, 1820s
Synopsis of Carmen
ACT I – in a square in Seville
Soldiers and townspeople gather in the square. A peasant girl, Micaëla, questions the soldiers about her
sweetheart, Don José. The soldiers try to persuade the young girl to stay with them until Don José returns, but
she declines and leaves. Don José arrives soon after.
A group of women, including the beautiful gypsy Carmen, exit the cigarette factory. The soldiers irt with the
girls and ask Carmen when she will love them. When Carmen sees Don José, she tosses him a ower to seduce
him. Don José picks up the ower, enchanted. Shortly after that, Micaëla returns with a letter sent to Don José
by his mother. Don José promises his delity and love to Micaëla.
Moments later, a ght breaks out at the cigarette factory between Carmen and another woman. Of cer Zuniga
commands Don José to escort Carmen to prison. However, Carmen charms Don José into letting her escape.
When Don José is discovered for letting Carmen escape, he is thrown in jail for one month.
INTERMISSION
ACT II – Lillas Pastia’s Inn
Carmen and her friends, Mercédès and Frasquita, are socializing with several soldiers when the victorious
bull ghter, Escamillo, arrives with a celebrating entourage. Escamilo attempts to capture Carmen’s heart,
however, his attempts are unsuccessful. Carmen will instead wait for Don José’s release from prison.
A while later, once the crowd has dispersed, the smugglers Dancaïro and Remendado ask for help from Carmen
and her friends. The friends agree to help, but Carmen refuses as she knows that Don José will be released from
prison that day and meet her at the inn.
When Don José nally arrives, Carmen dances for him. Her dance is cut short when a bugle sounds in the
distance, signaling Don José to return home. Carmen mocks his obedience and tries to persuade him to remain
with her and live the gypsy life. Don José does not give in until Zuniga arrives at the inn searching for Carmen.
Zuniga orders Don José to leave, but in a t of jealousy, he de es his commander’s orders. Dancaïro and
Remendado tackle Zuniga and take him away. Don José, feeling as if he has no choice, stays with Carmen.
INTERMISSION
ACT III – a wild spot in the mountains
Don José, now at the smuggler’s mountain hideout, reminisces about his former home and his mother. Carmen,
who has decided she no longer loves him, takes notice and starts taunting him to leave, but he does not.
Mercédès and Frasquita tell their fortunes with a deck of cards, revealing a life of wealth, love and luxury. For
Carmen, the cards reveal death. After discussing their plans, the smugglers and the girls leave, while Don José
watches over the hideout.
Micaëla comes to the hideout looking for Jose. She hides behind a mound of rocks when she hears a gunshot
red by Escamillo.
Escamillo enters the hideout and begins telling Don José about his crush on Carmen. He also tells Don José about
Carmen’s relationship with a soldier, not knowing the story is about Don José. Don José becomes very angry and
starts ghting Escamillo. The smugglers return, interrupting the ght. Escamillo invites Carmen and the others
to his upcoming bull ght and he leaves.
Micaëla emerges from her hiding spot and tries to convince Don José to return home. She nally persuades him
to leave by telling him his beloved mother is dying. Don José promises to return to Carmen and leaves with
Micaëla. In the distance, Escamillo is singing, and Carmen heads in that direction.
BRIEF PAUSE
ACT IV – in a square in Seville
During the procession of the toreadors, Carmen and Escamillo arrive together. Mercédès and Frasquita warn
Carmen that Don José is lurking in the crowd and plotting to kill her. Carmen says she will speak to him to resolve
the matter once and for all. While Escamillo enters the bull ghting ring, a desperate Don José meets Carmen
outside the arena.
Don José tells her she must commit her love and delity to him. She tells him she no longer loves him and throws
the ring he gave her on the ground. Incensed, Don José stabs Carmen in the heart with a dagger. She dies as
victory celebrations for Escamillo are heard in the background.
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