大象传媒

Act I
Seville
The brigadier Moral猫s and his soldiers look on as men pester a young woman, Mica毛la, who is looking for Don Jos茅, a corporal. She runs off, telling the soldiers that she will come back as soon as Jos茅 is back on duty. The women who work at the cigarette factory are taking a break, surrounded by soldiers. Carmen has the most admirers. Only one man, Jos茅, takes no notice of her until she throws him a flower. Jos茅 sees Mica毛la again. An orphan raised by Jos茅鈥檚 mother, she gives him a letter, money, and, best of all, a kiss from his mother, which makes him forget Carmen for a moment. Carmen is arrested for injuring one of her colleagues in the factory with a knife. Lieutenant Zuniga orders Jos茅 to take her to prison. She seduces Jos茅 with a song and promises of love. He helps her escape and is arrested.

Act II
Lillas Pastia鈥檚 tavern
Carmen and her friends Merc茅d猫s and Frasquita work with the smugglers Danca茂ro and Remendado. Escamillo, the winner of the bullfight in Granada, appears with his friends. He is strongly attracted to Carmen. But she is waiting for Jos茅, who is due to be released from prison that day, the reason why she refuses to take part in the next smuggling operation. Jos茅 arrives at last. While Carmen dances for him, the tattoo is heard. The soldier, conscious of his duty, tells Carmen he must go. She is furious with him, and doubts his love. Lieutenant Zuniga suddenly appears. Jos茅, driven by jealousy, attacks his superior. Zuniga is disarmed by the smugglers. There is now no turning back for Jos茅: he deserts.
Interval

Act III
Scene 1: In the mountains
The smugglers try and transport their wares to Seville under the cover of darkness. Jos茅 now lives with them and Carmen, who is fed up with Jos茅鈥檚 jealousy. The cards prophesy that first Carmen and then Jos茅 will die. When Escamillo, searching for Carmen, meets Jos茅, the men fight a duel, during which Carmen saves Escamillo鈥檚 life. He invites her and the smugglers to the bullfight in Seville. Mica毛la bravely approaches the smugglers to try and persuade Jos茅 to come home. Only the news that his mother is on her deathbed can move him to follow Mica毛la.

Scene 2: Outside the bullring
Escamillo enters the arena for the bullfight, cheered on by the people. Carmen wants to follow him. Jos茅 blocks her way. While the bullfight is going on, Jos茅 begs Carmen, for the last time, to follow him and start a new life. She refuses, throwing the ring he gave her to the ground. Jos茅 stabs Carmen.