Georges Bizet

Carmen: Act IV

While it scandalized Parisian audiences at its premiere by the Opéra-Comique in Paris on March 3rd, 1875, Georges Bizet's (1838-1875) Carmen became, a mere decade later, one of the most popular and frequently performed operas in the repertoire. It remains popular today, with songs such as the Habanera and Toreador Song among the best known of all opera arias. The climactic scene of Act IV unfolds outside the bullring in Seville: the festive march and chorus "Les voici! les voici!" ("Here they are! Here they are!") greet the entrance of the toreador Escamillo, creating a brilliant public spectacle that contrasts sharply with the private confrontation between Carmen and Don José. In the ensuing duet, Don José pleads desperately for Carmen's love ("Si tu m'aimes"), but her steadfast refusal leads to the opera's tragic final act of violence. Today this sequence stands as one of the most dramatically effective finales in opera, frequently performed in full productions and excerpted in concert. Instrumentation: 1+1(dFl2).2.2.2: 4.0+2(Crnt).3.0: Timp.Perc(2-3): Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set): Mix Chor: Chld Chor: Soli (Mz.B-Br). If only "Les voici! les voici!" is performed from this set, the piccolo need not double flute. Reprint edition.