Carmen's main plot and the relationship between the characters

Carmen is a beautiful gypsy girl who was born in Seville, Spain. The name Carmen has become a symbol of love and freedom in Spain and the whole world. When she falls in love with a man, she will wholeheartedly; And she stopped loving, so she gave up without hesitation. Her passion, fierceness and debauchery have fatal attraction to the men around her, and Carmen finally gave her life in the love entanglement with two men she loved deeply.

Synopsis: Carmen successfully seduced Don Hawthorne, who already had a lover, and escaped from Don Hawthorne after being arrested for beating her. During the meeting between Don Hosaidang and Carmen after they went to prison, they were affectionate and had a big fire with the boss, Captain Chunica, who was also pursuing Carmen. Don Hawthorne could not return to the barracks and was forced to join Carmen's smuggling ring. Don Hawthorne had a quarrel with Carmen before a smuggling activity. At this time, Michella came to look for Don Hawthorne, hoping to save his misguided lover. The matador who was also interested in Carmen almost had a duel with Don Hawthorne, and Hawthorne was persuaded by Michella to visit his dying mother. In the bullring, Carmen refused Don Hawthorne's request to start a new life with her at the cost of losing her freedom. Angry Don Hawthorne killed Carmen in a rage.

Script: Halevy and Mellac is adapted from Merrimi's novel of the same name.

Composer: [French] Bicai

Premiere:1875 March 3rd, Xi Opera House, Paris, France.

Characters that appear:

Carmen (gypsy girl, soprano)

Don Hauser (young guard corporal, tenor)

Escamilo (matador, baritone)

Michela (country girl, Don Hauser's fiancee, soprano)

When Keller (smuggler, tenor)

Ramendado (smuggler, tenor)

Zuniga (Chief Guard, Bass)

Morales (Corporal, Bass)

Fraghi Tower (Gypsy girl, Carmen's girlfriend, soprano)

Mercedes (Carmen's girlfriend, soprano)

In addition, there are hotel owners, tour guides, women workers, soldiers, smugglers, gypsies and street children.

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Overture Act I Act II Act III Act IV

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Almost everyone thinks that the prelude to Carmen is cheerful, enthusiastic and clear. Indeed, when the theme suddenly rises from the band, who will not be excited about it!

(Spectral example 1)

This piece of music was selected by the composer from the last scene of this opera. This is the March of the matador when he enters the stadium. It is full of men's courage and natural and unrestrained spirit, and has the confidence to win. The second melody in the overture is also very popular, hearty and stretching, and you can remember it once.

(Spectrum Example 2)

Once again, the composer enthusiastically presented us with the first March, and then he neatly put an end to the music. This is the prelude to Carmen, which we often hear in concerts. However, you know, in the orchestra pit of the Opera House, it didn't end here-there was another half in the overture, which suddenly changed the mood surprisingly: dim colors, hesitant rhythm, falling tone, just like crying.

(Spectrum Example 3)

This is the real theme of the opera Carmen: tragic and irresistible fate. It will appear from time to time throughout the opera, revealing the main idea of the story to the audience.

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First act

Seville, Spain.

This is a lively street square. There is a cigarette factory not far away, and there is a soldier sentry nearby. Vendors are selling, urchins are playing, and pedestrians are walking leisurely through here.

A country girl looks around. She wore a simple long skirt and a long and thick scarf, and she knew at a glance that she was an honest man. Sentinel Morales greeted her and asked her what had happened. So this girl is looking for Corporal Don Hauser. Morales told her that in a little while, Don Jose would come to change his guard, so he might as well wait here. But the girl felt uncomfortable with strangers and left first.

Suddenly, the children quarreled-they were going to change jobs. In ordinary life, this moment every day is very happy for them. Trumpets and snare drum Jr. played, and a group of soldiers took to the stage very solemnly. However, because a group of urchins followed, and their mouths were still ticking to imitate drums and horns, the solemn atmosphere became very funny, and the serious changing ceremony seemed to be playing games.

(Spectrum Example 4)

Among the new soldiers is our hero Don Hauser. You can see from his face that this is a good young man. He was very happy when he heard that a girl from his hometown came to see him. He told Zuniga, the captain of the guard, that this lovely girl, Michella, was the object of his admiration.

The bell of lunch break rang in the cigarette factory. The square suddenly became lively, and a group of young men appeared here, specially waiting to molest the female workers in the tobacco factory. Look, they are pouring out of the factory building. They are really charming: lazy eyes, graceful figure and a cigarette between their fingers. In the smoke, their expressions have an indescribable charm. The composer wrote a beautiful chorus for the girls:

"Smoke is floating in the wind, and so are our eyes."

Boys came around to strike up a conversation with girls, and one of them asked:

"Why didn't Carmen come?"

Accompanied by light music, the heroine Carmen appeared. If you are careful, you will find that this music is the "destiny theme" in the overture, but at this moment it is by no means sad, but very clear and happy.

What's Carmen like? She's really different. Although the skirt is a bit shabby, it fits her very well, which sets off her sexy figure to the fullest. There is a Jin Baihe on her plump chest, and there is just one in her mouth. And the brightest thing is her eyes-she doesn't look at anyone, but no one can help but be attracted by her.

The boys gathered around Carmen and sang politely:

Carmen, Carmen, please tell us, when will you talk to us and give us love?

Carmen seems to have no interest in this group of boys at all, and her eyes fall on the sentry-Don Hauser, who is cleaning his gun, is handsome and reserved. Carmen suddenly had a desire to conquer soldiers.

She shook her body gently and sang a song with the rhythm of Habanella:

(Spectrum Example 5)

"To ask when? You can't make a wish without knowing. Maybe never say no, maybe today. It is obvious that there is no hope today. ..... Love is a stubborn bird. You can't lock it up It's no use screaming. If it refuses, it won't come. Whether you beg or threaten, it will give you a disregard. "

This charming song made Don Hauser look up, and his eyes met Carmen's burning eyes. He quickly lowered his head and continued to fiddle with his gun. This girl is a real nuisance!

"I don't like glib people, but I like taciturn people best."

I thought it was Don Hauser.

"Love is like a waif, it doesn't answer the law at all. If you don't love me, I will love you. Be careful if I fall in love with you. When you thought you had caught the bird, it flapped its wings and flew away. Love leaves you, can't wait, but it comes back before you wait. You want to catch it, it escaped, you want to avoid it, it bothers you again! Love is like a waif who doesn't answer the law at all. If you don't love me, I will love you. Be careful if I fall in love with you. "

The boys couldn't resist the provocative singing. They kept expressing their love for Carmen, but Carmen pushed the crowd away and went straight to Don Hauser. She took Jin Baihe from her chest and threw it at Don Hauser. The flowers fell to the ground and people laughed. Don Hauser stood up awkwardly, not knowing what to do. Carmen turned and left. The girls also left, because the lunch break was over and they had to go to work again.

Don Hawthorne quietly picked up the flower, looked puzzled and said to himself:

"This flower, like a bullet, hit my heart. If there are witches in the world, I think she is one of them, no doubt. "

Someone's coming. It's Michela. Don Hauser hid the flowers in his arms and walked forward.

Michelle's face is full of joy and a little shy at the same time. She handed a letter to Don Hauser and took out a small wallet, saying that it was all brought by Don Hauser's mother.

With a letter and a wallet with a temperature in his hand, Don Hauser was very happy. He couldn't help holding the girl's hand and staring at this lovely face. Michelle was embarrassed, but she got up the courage and told Don Jose:

"Your mother and I finished praying in church. She hugged me and kissed me. She said to me: Please go to Seville not far away to find my son. You tell him that mother cares about him day and night, misses him, hopes for him, forgives him and waits for him. Honey, I told him all this in my name. And this kiss I gave you, please give it to him yourself. "

Michella blushed and stood on tiptoe, giving Don Hauser a careful and motherly kiss.

Don Hauser was very moved. He stared into Michela's pure eyes as if he had returned to his hometown. Suddenly, he remembered the scene just now, couldn't help glancing at the direction of the cigarette factory and said to himself:

"What kind of devil is that? I almost fell into her trap! "

Michelle feel strange:

"What the hell? What trap? "

Don Hawthorne interrupted her question and said to the girl:

"Please tell my mother that I love and respect her very much. Her son is very good, please rest assured. "

He gently picked up Michela and kissed her.

"Please give this kiss to my mother."

The composer wrote a sincere and touching duet for the young couple, which is in sharp contrast with Carmen's bohemian Habanera.

They reluctantly said goodbye. Don Hauser took out his mother's letter and prepared to read it carefully. He found flowers hidden in his arms from Carmen, and he just wanted to throw them away. Suddenly, there was a noise in the factory.

The women workers rushed over while shouting. They chatted with the guards standing guard. The doorman finally figured it out. It turned out that Carmen had a fight with a female worker and injured others.

Carmen was pushed to the sentry. The women workers accused her one after another, but she didn't care, humming a song. The captain of the guard told Don Hauser to tie her hands. Don Hauser didn't want to go near the slutty girl, but Carmen took the initiative to put her hand behind her back and motioned for him to fasten it. Don Hauser quickly completed the instructions, and the captain of the guard asked him to take Carmen to the guard room for processing. He dispersed the women workers and asked their superiors for treatment.

There are only Carmen and Don Hauser in the guard room. Don Hauser didn't intend to answer her, but Carmen brazenly said:

"You should let me go, Mr Command is not inviolable. Now that you have fallen in love with me, you can do anything for me. "

Don Hauser laughed and cried, "I'm in love with you already?"

"Yes, Mr Hauser, haven't you thrown away the flowers I gave you?"

She gloated. No matter how Don Hauser shut her up, she sang a song, and with the rhythm of the song, she danced Segetia with her unconstrained barefoot, graceful waist and charming eyes:

(Spectrum Example 6)

"Next to the wall in Seville is my friend Pastia's hotel. We often go to Segetia dances and drink Manzania wine. Alas, how lonely a person is, only in pairs is true happiness. I have to have a confidant and a lover to accompany me. I have a large group of suitors, but I can't pick one. Now the weekend is coming again. If anyone is interested, I also have feelings. He can take my soul. "

Don Hauser was so upset by this girl that he had to shut him up again and again. But Carmen didn't seem to hear it, and then sang:

"I was thinking of an officer who fell in love with me. This officer is neither a battalion commander nor a company commander. He is just a small monitor. For a gypsy girl, this is enough. If I am content with Changle, I will make do. "

Carmen's eyes are more charming than singing, and Don Hauser's heart is disturbed by her. He unconsciously went over and untied Carmen. Listen to his "mouth" involuntarily said to Carmen:

"Carmen, I seem to have been drunk ... if I help you, won't you be treacherous? If I really love you, will you love me? "

Carmen sang contentedly and slipped to the door. Suddenly, Don Hauser stopped her-"The Lieutenant is here!"

Carmen quickly twisted her hands and made a polite appearance. The captain of the guard gave Don Hauser an arrest warrant to escort Carmen to prison. Carmen winked happily at Don Hauser and followed him out of the guard room.

There are many people in the square. The women workers also got off work and gathered here to watch the excitement. Don Hawthorne escorted Carmen through the crowd and saw Carmen humming with her head held high. Suddenly, she suddenly turned around, pushed Don Hawthorne to the ground and ran away quickly. The women workers laughed and laughed at Don Hauser as a fool. Chief guard zuniga's eyes widened with anger.

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Act ii

The scene is in what Carmen calls the Pastia Hotel. A group of people are drinking and laughing here. Among them, we are already familiar with Carmen and chief guard zuniga. Two gypsy girls are dancing. Carmen stands up and sings a warm and happy gypsy song for everyone.

(Spectrum Example 7)

"How melodious the guitar sounds. It has a crisp metallic sound. Hearing this wonderful music, gypsy woman danced more happily. "

The music became louder and louder, and Carmen didn't sit in the chair until she was panting and sweating.

Zuniga told Carmen that Don Hauser was detained for letting her go. But now he's free. He also told Carmen that he liked her very much. Carmen didn't answer, only heard a noise outside the door, and the girls craned their necks to look out. Ah, here comes the matador!

Surrounded by the crowd, a tall and arrogant matador walked into the hotel. People cheered and praised him, which made him more proud. He took the glass handed by a soldier and sang loudly:

"Cheers, brave soldiers, please accept my heartfelt congratulations. Because the matador and all of you soldiers get the same pleasure from fighting. "

(Spectrum Example 8)

He described the tension and fun of bullfighting:

"The arena is as lively as a festival, and it is crowded with men, women and children from top to bottom. The audience simply lost their minds and the shouts merged into a huge wave. Suddenly, everyone was silent because a cow rushed out of the iron fence. It was so angry that it knocked the long gunman down on his horse. Everyone jumped over the fence and ran away. Now it's your turn to show off! "

People enthusiastically chorus:

"Matador, get ready. In the heroic battle, you must remember that there are a pair of black eyes waiting for you! "

This chorus is a hearty and stretching melody that we heard at the beginning of the overture. This is really exciting.

Carmen is attracted by the matador Escamilo. The matador seems to be interested in her, and his eyes are always on Carmen's side when he sings. As soon as the song was over, he went to Carmen and asked her name, saying that she would be called when she was in danger. Carmen was happy to tell him, but she didn't agree with his courtship. Escamilo was not discouraged. He said he would wait, and then he was surrounded by people and left. Zuniga, the chief guard, also felt sorry for Carmen's indifference and walked out of the inn bitterly.

It's quiet here. Two smugglers are whispering about the action plan. They asked Carmen to go with her two female companions. The two girls readily agreed, but Carmen hesitated and thought it was because of love. Everyone laughed at her at once and tried to persuade her to go with them. At this time, a beautiful song by Don Hauser came from outside the door, and the men walked away with a teasing smile.

Don Hauser and Carmen embraced warmly. It turned out that he was locked up for two months because of Carmen's escape, and this was just his freedom. Carmen was so moved that she didn't know how to repay him, so she picked up a castanet and stood on the big wooden table, singing and dancing.

(Spectrum Example 9)

Don Hauser admired her emotionally and couldn't help kissing her skirt.

However, something interrupted his tenderness-the bugle call urging the soldiers to return to their barracks. Carmen wouldn't let him go, but she still sang and danced. Don Hauser told Carmen helplessly that he had to leave. Carmen was unhappy, picked up Don Hauser's sword and military cap and threw it at him:

"It's stupid! For love, I sing and dance, but what camp do you want to go back to! "

Don Hauser explained to her, but she wouldn't listen. He took out a withered Jin Baihe from his pocket and poured out his heart to Carmen:

(Spectral example 10)

"This is the flower you threw me, which I have always treasured in prison. Although it has withered, it still exudes a charming fragrance. Whenever I close my eyes, the intoxicating fragrance of flowers will penetrate into my heart. ..... I should have cursed you and never thought of you again, but my only wish is to see you again! "

This aria written by the composer for Don Hauser is really beautiful and moving, which is completely different from those melodies with dance rhythm and folk flavor sung by Carmen. You will feel the passionate and lingering love of Don Hauser. Carmen was moved. She asked Don Hauser not to go back to the barracks and never to be separated from her. She said, it is better to go to the other side of the mountain and live a free life. But don Hauser still wants to go back. He wants to be a good soldier, which is what his mother expects.

Carmen was really angry. She shouted, "I don't love you anymore!" " "

Don Horsey angrily picked up his sword and hat and walked away, but was stopped by the suddenly opened door. Zuniga, the chief guard, came in. He was jealous when he saw that there were only Don Hauser and Carmen in the room. At this moment, someone broke in. It's two smugglers and a group of gypsies. They grabbed Zuniga's weapon and asked him to "take a walk". It turns out that they took him hostage.

The second act ends with a smug chorus of smugglers and gypsies.

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Act iii

When we saw Carmen and Don Hauser again, it was in the misty mountains. Don Hauser failed to escape, and now he is a smuggler. He and the gypsies walked carefully on the rugged mountain road. When Keller gives everyone a rest, he will explore the front. So, someone lit a bonfire and sat around chatting.

Don Hauser's silence made Carmen very uncomfortable. She asked why, and Don Hauser replied that it was because she remembered her mother who lived not far from here. He was ashamed of failing his mother's expectations.

Carmen scoffed at this. She advised Don Hauser to go back to his hometown to accompany his mother and stop talking about love. Don Hawthorne was very angry at this. He took Carmen's arm and said:

"Let's break up? Listen, Carmen, if you say one more word ... "

"Why? Did you just kill me? Well, everything has to be resigned to fate! "

On the other hand, gypsy girls Fraghi Tower and Mercedes are telling fortune to see who they will marry. Carmen also came to play cards. Oh, my God, it's all ominous-death! She didn't want to believe it, so she calculated it again. However, it is death again! In the overture, the composer hinted to us that you would be nervous-what is Carmen's fate?

When Keller returned to the rest place, he called everyone to carry the goods, while Don Hauser was instructed to stay here and keep watch.

The night is deep and it's quiet all around. Two figures appeared quietly on the road, one was Michela and the other was a tour guide. When the guide left, Michela sang an aria softly. The girl is weak and shy in appearance, but strong in heart. She came to the mountains alone in order to find Don Hawthorne. In this touching aria, she kept praying:

"Please give me courage, please protect me, God! I want to take back the person I love from that demon! "

She saw Don Hauser not far away and called his name to him. Strangely, Don Hauser raised his gun and aimed in one direction. Only hearing a gunshot, she was so scared that she quickly hid in the darkness.

A tall man walked to come over, mouth chanting:

"any lower, I'm dead."

Tang Huosai also walked to come over, he nervously asked:

"Who are you?"

When they approached, they saw each other clearly. The tall man is the matador Escamilo. Don Hauser wanted to know how he met him here, so Escamilo told Don Hauser frankly that he fell in love with a gypsy girl:

"In order to see my beauty, I would rather lose my life."

Don Hauser hurriedly asked the girl's name.

"Carmen. She once had a lover who was a soldier, and that guy deserted for her. But their love is over. You know, Carmen's love never lasts more than half a year. "

Tang Huosai sings angrily:

"I am a deserter! My anger has finally found the object of venting, and I hope to shed some blood early! "

Ace Camiro was very confused:

"How stupid, I really want to laugh. I came to find my mistress, but I met her man!"

The two men drew their swords and started a duel. Just then, Carmen and those friends came here and stopped them. Under the persuasion of everyone, Escamilo decided to leave, and he also invited everyone to Seville to watch his bullfight in a few days. Before he left, he once again expressed his love for Carmen.

A conflict was avoided. But Don Hauser felt even more miserable. He hoped Carmen would be more enthusiastic about herself, but Carmen shrugged and walked away. Someone found Michela in the dark and pulled her out. They were surprised to find that it was a woman. In the face of puzzled Tang Huosai, Michelle tells:

"There is a hut over there, and someone is praying; That's a mother, crying for her son. She stretched out trembling hands and called your name. Horsey, please come back with me and start with me quickly. "

Carmen advised Don Jose to leave quickly in an ironic tone. But Don Hauser stubbornly refused to leave. He pushed open the pleading Michelle and loudly announced to Carmen:

"You don't want to take this opportunity to find a new lover. I love you, damn woman! You and I will never be apart. It's destiny takes a hand. I will never leave, even if it means losing my life! "

But Michela told the truth that shocked Don Hauser: his mother was dying. He was surprised and decided to go home at once. He said goodbye to Carmen and left in a hurry with Michelle. The matador who disturbed him didn't go far. He is singing that matador song somewhere.

Carmen listened, leaning against the rock and motionless.

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Act IV

This is outside the bullring in Seville. On the days of competition, people are always very excited: vendors sell fans and oranges loudly; Someone is selling programs; The beautifully dressed woman and the man walked slowly into the bullring arm in arm. This is almost a festival.

Zuniga, the chief guard, is here. At this time, he has become a friend of gypsies and a protector of smugglers. He asked the accompanying gypsy girls, Fraghi Tower and Mercedes, about Carmen, and they told him that Carmen was in love with Escamilo now, and she was madly in love. Her former lover, Don Hauser, refused to give up. Zuni said, don't worry about Carmen. The arrest of deserter Don Hauser has been ordered. I just haven't caught him yet. The March sounds great. It's an exciting melody at the beginning of the overture.

(Spectral example 1)

A group of brave matadors and their assistants strode through the cheers.

When Escamilo appeared, there was a commotion in the square: not only because of his fame, but also because he was surrounded by a clever girl-Carmen. She is so beautifully dressed, wearing a new red skirt and a big corolla on her head.

It's time for the matador to appear. Escamilo kissed Carmen goodbye and disappeared at the gate. Mercedes walked quickly to Carmen, saying that Don Hauser might be here, and told her to be more careful. Carmen doesn't care. Now she is the only one in her heart. She will wait for the news of his victory here.

People went into the bullring one by one, but Carmen stayed alone in the square. Maybe she wants to see Don Hauser one last time and end this relationship with him completely.

Don Hauser is really here. He has a beard and a haggard face, and his clothes are dirty and torn. Compared with Carmen in gorgeous clothes, he looks very pitiful.

The music here is quite wonderful: on the one hand, the composer makes the band play the matador March happily, and from time to time, he inserts terrible semitone descending phrases to hint at the tragedy that will happen. The huge contrast between the two is frightening.

Don Hauser still had hope for Carmen, and he begged Carmen to go with him. Carmen coldly replied:

"Impossible. Carmen never lies. Everything between you and her is over. "

Don Jose pleaded:

"Oh, my Carmen, let me save you. When I save you, I save myself. "

"Why do you still want this heart? It doesn't belong to you long ago! "

"But I love you! I worship you! "

"This is all useless nonsense."

"Well, in order to please you, I will be a thief again. As long as you don't leave me, I will do whatever you like. Dear Carmen, please think about the years when we fell in love! "

"Don't you know Carmen never gives in to anyone? She was born free and will die free. "

The people in the bullring cheered. Carmen's eyes lit up and her heart flew to the matador.

Don Hauser is crazy. He keeps a close eye on Carmen:

"You should be with me."

"Please leave me, Don Hauser. I will never go with you."

"Did you go looking for him? Do you really love him? "

"Yes, I love him, I love him, and I will say this even in the face of death-I love him!"

There was another cheer. Carmen couldn't hold back and wanted to go in and watch the game. Tang Huosai a pull her:

"You can't leave me! You must stay with me! "

"No, never! You either let me die or set me free! "

Amid the warm cheers, the theme of the tragedy became stronger and stronger. Tang Huosai roared:

"I asked the last sentence: Devil, won't you come with me?"

"no!"

Carmen said, and took a ring from her finger and threw it on the ground:

"Take it, this is what you gave me before!"

Don Hauser has completely lost his mind. He drew a bright dagger from his arms and forced it at Carmen.

"Well, you should die!"

In the wild cheers of victory, he plunged the dagger into Carmen's chest.

The door of the bullring is open. People flocked out and were stunned by this terrible scene.

Only hear don horsey frantically shout loudly:

"Arrest me, it's me, it's me, kill my dear Carmen! Oh, I admire Carmen! "

He pounced on Carmen.