Carmen

Bizet died on June 3, 1875, exactly three months after the first performance of "Carmen," which had met with a cool reception. This caused the already undermined composer to fall into a depression which, most probably, led him to take his own life. The following October, Carmen was a triumph in Vienna and ever since, this opera has been considered an all-time classic. Inspired by the tale of the same name by Prosper Merimee (1845), the opera tells the story of the gypsy girl Carmen, a free and passionate spirit who generously gives herself in love, yet fights off all attempts to tie her down. Bizet composed impetuous and passionate music to suit her character. He turns Spain, a country he never actually visited, into a land of violent passion. Speaking of this opera, the philosopher Nietzsche said, "When we listen to "Carmen," we too become a masterpiece." Full score, 653 p.