Opera in four acts with a libretto by Henry Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, based on the novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée.

The last and most important of the works of the French composer Georges Bizet (1838-1875), Carmen enjoyed increasing recognition, despite the hostility and harsh criticism it faced on the premiere evening (June 3, 1875) at the Opéra Comique in Paris. The desire of Camille du Locle - the manager of the institution at that time - to "evolve the genre" thus materialized in a work of unprecedented realism, which portrays the tragic story of the soldier Don José, ensnared by the charms of the gypsy Carmen. Although he defies his family, compromises his career, and exceeds all moral boundaries for the woman he loves, the soldier will ultimately end up killing her.
It becomes evident why such a subject took the Parisian public by surprise, accustomed to the convenience and easily conquered by the amusing plays with happy endings, ubiquitous in the repertoire of opera theater at that time. However, the genius with which Bizet captured the dramatic evolution, the seductive melodies of the famous Habanera, Seguidilla, or the Toreador's Song, the pronounced Spanish accent, and the French lyricism of some moments received later, the deserved appreciation, winning even today the thunderous applause of spectators worldwide.

The performance has three intermissions and ends around 10:30 p.m.

The performance is interpreted in French with Romanian supertitles.

Recommended age: 8+