Synopsis for Carmen

ACT I

Outside a cigarette factory, soldiers alleviate their boredom by preying on the innocent Micaëla, who is searching for Don José, her childhood sweetheart. When the factory bell rings all the men press forward to see the infamous Gypsy Carmen. She sings the habanera which enchants the corporal José. The factory women go back to work and Micaëla returns bringing greetings from José’s mother, who misses her son.

Suddenly a fight, started by Carmen, breaks out in the factory. Captain Zuniga, inflamed with jealousy at Carmen’s flirtation with José, orders her arrest and commands José to escort her to prison. She promises José a rendezvous later that night if he lets her escape. José feigns being thrown to the ground, enabling Carmen to run off with the Gypsies. Zuniga sees through the ruse, and is happy to send him to prison so he can have Carmen to himself.

ACT II

In a late-night tavern, Carmen dances with her friends Frasquita and Mercédès. Captain Zuniga watches, yearning to have a liaison with Carmen later. Escamillo, the famous toreador, arrives to entertain his fans. Carmen rejects his advances. She also wards off Zuniga’s hopeful proposition, eager to get everyone out of the tavern.

Dancaïro, leader of the smugglers, urges Carmen to assist them in carrying contraband across the border, but she refuses, sending her friends away when she hears José approaching. Carmen owes José a debt of gratitude for her freedom and she dances alone for him. At the sound of the bugle call, José, who has been demoted, says he must return to the barracks. Carmen laughs at his obedience to authority. Zuniga bursts in hoping to finally have that rendezvous with Carmen. The jealous José flings himself at his superior officer, but the smugglers enter and separate them. José is left with no choice but to join them.

ACT III

Forced into hiding with Carmen, José thinks with remorse of his mother. Carmen has grown tired of him, and they quarrel bitterly. Carmen refuses to be ruled by any man. She reads her future in a deck of cards and only sees death. The smugglers lead their women off to distract the border guards.

Micaëla has braved a dangerous journey to bring José news of his mother’s illness. But before she can find him, Escamillo arrives, and she hides as Escamillo and José fight over who should posses Carmen. The returning smugglers pull them apart. Micaëla’s presence is discovered and she tells José that his mother is dying. José, stricken with grief, tells Carmen that he is going away, but that they will see each other again.

ACT IV

An excited crowd awaits the bullfight parade. Escamillo arrives with Carmen, resplendent as his consort. Frasquita and Mercédès warn Carmen that José is hiding, wild-eyed with jealousy, in the crowd. Carmen says that she will tell him that their relationship is over. The bullfight is about to start and everyone goes into the arena. Carmen deliberately waits to confront José. He begs her to come back to him. She defiantly declares that she was born free and will die free. Just as Escamillo defeats the bull, José finally possesses Carmen, in a fatal embrace. He falls sobbing over her corpse, admitting his guilt.