Bizet
Carmen
Bizet’s Carmen (1875) tells the story of the free-spirited Carmen and her destructive affair with soldier Don José, who abandons duty and honour for her, only to kill her in a jealous rage. Premiering in Paris, it shocked audiences with its realism and moral ambiguity. Bizet died before witnessing its rise to global fame; within a decade it became one of the most performed operas."
First Performance:
Carmen premiered 3 March 1875 at the Opéra-Comique, Paris. Reception hostile and shocked; Bizet died soon after. International productions later that year transformed it into a global triumph."
Historical setting:
Created in 1875 amid France’s fascination with exoticism and realism, Carmen challenged Opéra‑Comique conventions with its gritty portrayal of Romani life and moral ambiguity. Initially scandalous, it reflected shifting artistic tastes toward naturalism and psychological depth.