The most famous opera, written by the French composer Georges Bizet, is considered to be Carmen. Her story was not easy, and this wonderful work did not immediately resonate with the public and critics. After all, Carmen is an opera where one of the fundamental principles of plot construction in the opera house was violated at that time . For the first time, not aristocrats were brought onto the scene, but ordinary people with their sins, passions, and vivid feelings.
The premiere of the performance took place on the stage of "Opera Comic" in Paris on March 3, 1875. The reaction that followed forced to experience the bitter disappointment of its creator. Georges Bizet, author of the opera Carmen, was considered one of the most talented composers of his time. He created his opera at the top of his career. The libretto was written by L. Halevi and A. Melyak according to the novel by P. Merime. The audience who got to the premiere performance, opinions were divided. The first performer of the role of gypsy Carmen was singer Celestine Galli-Mathieu. She managed to perfectly convey the courage of the heroine. This delighted some, while other viewers were indignant. In newspapers, the opera was called ugly, scandalous and vulgar.
Nevertheless, Carmen is an opera, the genius of which was appreciated much later, and it was truly loved. This was said by our classic composer P.I. Tchaikovsky, he called her a masterpiece. One of the most memorable melodies with which the opera is filled is the heroine’s aria “Love is like a bird has wings”, the composer created it based on the Habanera melody and the seductive description of a gypsy in the novel by P. Merima. In addition to this aria, the March of the Toreador, Suite No. 2, became truly popular.
Due to its atypical nature for that time, the opera turned into a popularly beloved performance. In "Carmen" describes the life of ordinary people, and at the same time, the opera is not without romanticism. If you describe the summary of the opera Carmen, you can expose it in a few sentences. The plot is based on the third chapter of the novel of the same name by P. Merimee, and it refers to love. The play takes place in Spain, so the composer filled the opera with classic Spanish melodies: flamenco, paso doble, habaner.
The main character and novels, and operas - gypsy Carmen. The opera presents it as relaxed, free, not recognizing the laws. Gypsy is able to change the fate of everyone who is with her. She attracts the attention of men, enjoys their love, but does not reckon with their feelings. According to the plot, a beautiful gypsy woman works at a cigarette factory. Because of the fight, she gets to the police station. Her guard was Sergeant Jose. She was able to fall in love with herself and convince him to let her go. For the sake of the gypsy, Jose lost everything: position, respect in society. He became a simple soldier. Carmen collaborated with smugglers, flirting with bullfighter Escamillo. Jose is tired of her. He tried to return his beloved, but she abruptly announced to him that it was all over. Then Jose killed his beloved Carmen so that she would not go to anyone.
J. Bizet was very upset by the failure of the premiere performance of Carmen. Opera, later recognized as a masterpiece, took the composer a lot of energy. Shortly after the premiere, after 3 months, the composer died at the age of 37 years. On the verge of death, J. Bizet said: "Jose killed Carmen, and Carmen killed me!"
Nevertheless, the story of free life, unbridled passions and accidental death due to jealousy has attracted spectators to theaters for many years. To this day, "Carmen" successfully goes on the most famous opera stages in the world.