Retrospective

In the blazing sun of Andalusia, the square in front of a cigarette factory is bustling with activity. Soldiers, children and passers-⁠by come and go. Among them is the dutiful soldier Don José, who quietly and conscientiously performs his duties. Then Carmen appears, a worker in the factory. With her famous “Habanera” she draws every eye; she plays seductively with the men, teases them, laughs – and Don José is not left untouched either. When Carmen throws him a rose, it is as if she has cast an invisible bond between them, a bond that draws Don José to his ruin. At that moment Micaëla, a young girl from Don José’s home village, arrives in the square. She brings him a letter from his mother. For a moment Don José remembers his former, simple life. José wants to resist Carmen’s temptation and marry Micaëla, as his mother wishes. But once Micaëla has gone, Carmen’s impetuous presence returns and drives out every thought of duty and home.

Soon afterwards a fight breaks out in the factory between Carmen and another worker. Carmen injures her colleague with a knife and is arrested. Don José is ordered to take her to prison. With words as seductive as a dance, Carmen beguiles the soldier and persuades him to set her free. In return she promises him a passionate, wonderful night at the inn of a friend called Lillas Pastia. In doing so, Don José gets himself into serious trouble.

A few weeks later: Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercédès are celebrating in disreputable company at the tavern of the innkeeper Lillas Pastia. It is a lawless place of music, dance and unbridled zest for life. The celebrated bullfighter Escamillo appears, charming, self-assured, surrounded by admirers. He too shows interest in Carmen, but she playfully rebuffs him.

Don José, who was sent to prison because of Carmen’s escape, seeks her out after his release, torn between his love for her and his duty as a soldier. When the bugle sounds roll call, he ought to return to his unit. But Carmen mocks his obedience and urges him to stay with her. Driven by passion and jealousy, Don José defies his orders and deserts. From now on he has no choice but to join the band of outlaws.

High up in the mountains of Andalusia, Carmen, Don José and the smugglers have entrenched themselves in an almost inaccessible gorge. Among rocks and smugglers’ paths they live off the spoils of their risky ventures.

But life together brings no peace. Carmen longs for freedom, while Don José becomes ever more possessive and jealous. Their love begins to break apart. In a last attempt to bind Carmen to him, Don José gives her a ring as a sign of his unshakeable love. While the smugglers prepare their next venture, Frasquita and Mercédès pass the time reading the cards. The cards foretell happiness and love for Frasquita and Mercédès – but death for Carmen. Her fate seems sealed. Then Micaëla appears, having bravely ventured into the mountains. She begs Don José to return to his dying mother. But before he can decide, Escamillo arrives – he is looking for Carmen. A fight breaks out between the two men, which Carmen ends. Only when Micaëla brings him the news of his mother’s death does Don José reluctantly leave the hideout. But he swears to Carmen that he will return.

Outside the bullring in Seville the mood is festive. The crowd cheers the entrance of the celebrated torero Escamillo. At his side: Carmen, now openly his lover. Her friends Frasquita and Mercédès warn her that Don José is in town, desperate and unpredictable. But Carmen remains unperturbed. She fears nothing and follows her own law of freedom. As the procession disappears into the arena, Don José steps out of the shadows. He pleads, begs, threatens – but Carmen stands firm. Her freedom is more precious to her than love and life. As a clear sign of her intent, she throws the ring he once gave her at his feet. In frenzied despair, Don José draws a knife.

As cheers for Escamillo’s victory erupt in the arena, Carmen dies at Don José’s hand.