Carmen

Bizet died on 3rd June 1875, exactly three months after the first performance of his 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 Mérimée (1845), the opera tells the story of the gypsy girl Carmen: a free passionate spirit, she generously gives herself in love, yet fights off all attempts to tie her down. Bizet invented music to suit her character: impetuous and passionate. Andhe 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'.