The libretto was written by henri meilhac and ludovic halévy, based on the novella of the same title by prosper mérimée. When her independence clashes with don josé’s obsessive love, passion spirals into jealousy, leading to inevitable tragedy Through unforgettable melodies like the “habanera” and the “toreador song,” carmen explores the intoxicating power of desire and the perilous cost of true freedom. Opera naples presents georges bizet’s carmen, one of the world’s most beloved operas The opera’s melodic sweep is as irresistible as the title character herself, a force of nature who has become a defining female cultural figure Carmen was a scandal at its premiere but soon after became a triumphal success and has remained one of the most frequently staged operas in the world.
The habanera is the aria carmen sings when she first appears on stage It is also known as 'l'amour est un oiseau rebelle'. With a plot based on the 1845 novella of the same name by prosper mérimée, bizet’s carmen was groundbreaking in its realism, and it rapidly became one of the most popular western operas of all time. Carmen’s exploration of passion, jealousy and human emotion, combined with its gripping story and vibrant characters, has made it one of the most performed and beloved operas in history. In mérimée’s original story, carmen is portrayed as a young, strong, and capricious woman who wields incredible power over men The tale is told through the eyes of don josé, who is about to be executed, and mérimée himself, who follows josé.
Here is a complete guide with a thorough explanation of the story, something about the background, and the voices.
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