Georges Bizet's Carmen is a tragic opera in four acts, with music by Bizet and libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the 1845 novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée. The opera premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March 1875.
_A square in Seville, Spain_
A group of soldiers are relaxing in the square, guarded by Corporal José. Among them is Don José, a young soldier who is in love with the beautiful gypsy girl, Carmen. Carmen enters the square and sings a Habanera, enticing the men with her beauty and allure. José is particularly taken with her and tries to approach her, but she rebuffs him.
At that moment, a fight breaks out between two women in the square. Carmen is attacked and José steps in to defend her, arresting her attacker. In gratitude, Carmen gives José a flower and promises to meet him later that evening.
_Lillas Pastia's tavern_
Carmen has come to Lillas Pastia's tavern with a group of her friends, including the bullfighter Escamillo. Escamillo sings a Toreador Song, praising the joys of bullfighting. José arrives and finds Carmen flirting with Escamillo. He is jealous and confronts her, but she tells him that she is free to do as she pleases.
Suddenly, a group of smugglers arrive at the tavern and Carmen asks José to help them smuggle some goods across the border. José agrees and joins them, but he is torn between his love for Carmen and his duty as a soldier.
_A mountain pass_
José and Carmen have joined a group of smugglers and are hiding out in the mountains. Carmen still loves José, but she is also drawn to Escamillo, who has recently arrived at the camp. José is suspicious of Escamillo and challenges him to a fight, which José wins.
Carmen is impressed by José's strength and courage, but she is also aware that he is a fugitive from the law. She begins to have doubts about their relationship and wonders if she should leave him.
_A square in Seville_
A bullfight is taking place in the square and Carmen is in attendance with Escamillo. José confronts her one last time, begging her to come back to him, but she refuses. She tells him that she loves Escamillo and will never leave him.
José is heartbroken and, in a fit of rage, he stabs Carmen to death. He is arrested and taken away to prison.