Please silence all cell phones, pagers, and watches.

CARMEN by Georges Bizet

Act I: In the town square of Seville

Everyone comes and goes through this square.

What funny people…

At the guardhouse door we kill time by smoking, gossiping, and people-watching.

Everyone comes and goes through this square…

Look at that cute one — I think she wants to talk to us. She’s turning and hesitating…

We must go to her aid!

- What are you looking for, lovely lady? - I’m looking for a soldier.

- Here I am! - His name is Don José. Do you know him?

- We all know him. - Really? Is he with you?

- He’s not with our regiment. - So he’s not here?

No, my charmer, but he will be here soon.

He’ll be here with the changing of the guard.

While you wait for him, pretty thing, would you care to come in with us?

With you? No, thank you, kind soldiers.

Enter without fear, sweetheart. I promise we will treat you will all due respect.

I’m sure you would, but still, it’s wiser for me to return…

- I’ll return with the changing of the guard. - You must stay; the guard will be changing soon.

- Stay! - No! Good-bye, soldiers!

The bell has sounded, and we’ve gathered for the return of the factory girls.

We will follow you, dark cigarette girls, murmuring words of love.

But where is Carmen?

There she is! There’s Carmencita.

Carmen, we’re all at your mercy. Be nice — at least answer us:

Tell us when you’ll love us!

When will I love you? I don’t know.

Maybe never, maybe tomorrow…

But certainly not today.

Love is a wild bird that cannot be tamed. It’s useless to call him if he feels like refusing.

Threats and prayers do no good. One man may be well-spoken and the other silent,

and I may prefer the other, who said nothing but pleases me.

Love is a lawless gypsy child.

If you don’t love me, I love you. If I love you, beware!

The bird you caught suddenly flies away. Love comes only if you don’t wait for it.

All around you, swiftly it comes and goes.

You think you’ve got it, it escapes you; you think you’ve escaped it, it’s got you!

Love is a lawless gypsy child.

If you don’t love me, I love you. If I love you, beware!

Carmen, we’re at your feet. Be nice — just answer us…

“Love is a lawless gypsy child. If you don’t love me, I love you. And then, beware!”

Tell me about my mother.

Like a faithful messenger, I bear this letter from her.

Also a little money to add to your wages. And then…

And then… I almost don’t dare… Then, one more thing, worth more than money.

Something priceless to a good son.

Tell me, what is this other thing?

I’ll tell you. I will give you what she gave me.

As we left the chapel, your mother embraced me and said:

“Go into town. It isn’t far, once you’re in Seville. Find my son, my Jose, my child.”

“Tell him that his mother dreams day and night of her absent son.”

“She grieves, hopes, forgives and waits.”

“Won’t you tell him all this for me, sweetheart?”

“And give him this kiss from me.”

A kiss from my mother!

A kiss for her son, as I promised her…

Who knows what demon was about to prey upon me?

Even from a distance my mother defends me, sending me this kiss,

and her kiss saves her child from danger.

-What demon? What danger? I don’t understand. - It’s nothing.

Faithful messenger, are you returning to the countryside?

Yes, this very evening. I will see your mother tomorrow.

My mother — I can see her, and my village. Sweet country memories of old!

Beloved memories, you fill the heart with strength and courage.

What’s going on there?

Help, soldiers! Didn’t you hear us?

- It was Carmen! - No, it wasn’t!

Carmen struck the first blow!

Don’t listen to them, sir, listen to us!

- It was Carmencita who struck first! - It was Manuelita who struck first!

Near the walls of Seville, at my friend Lillas Pastia’s,

I’ll go to dance the Seguidilla and drink manzanilla… at my friend Lillas Pastia’s.

But two is more fun than one, so I’ll take my lover along for company.

But the devil knows where he is! I threw him out yesterday.

My poor heart is as free as the air.

I have suitors by the dozen, but they’re not to my taste.

The week is ending… Who wants to love me? I will love him.

My soul is for the taking — you’ve come at a good time.

I’ve hardly got time to wait, because with my new lover…

Near the walls of Seville, at my friend Lillas Pastia’s,

I’ll go to dance the Seguidilla and drink manzanilla… yes, at my friend Lillas Pastia’s.

Be quiet! You’re forbidden to talk to me.

I’m not talking to you, just singing for myself.

And I’m thinking. Thinking isn’t forbidden.

I’m thinking of a certain officer…

who loves me, and whom I could very well love in turn.

He’s not a captain or even a lieutenant, just a corporal.

But that’s good enough for a gypsy girl, and I think he will do for me.

Carmen, I’m like a drunkard. If I yield to you…

Will you keep your promise? If I love you, Carmen, will you love me?

- Yes… we will dance the Seguidilla… - Carmen, do you promise?

Near the walls of Seville, at my friend Lillas Pastia’s,

We’ll go dance the Seguidilla and drink manzanilla.

Act II: At Lillas Pastia’s tavern

The chimes jingled with a metallic twang, and the gypsy girls arose to this exotic music.

Basque drums set the pace, while frenzied guitars, under obstinate hands,

ground out the same song, the same refrain.

With all their might, the gypsy boys drove their instruments to fury,

and this overwhelming din bewitched the gypsy girls.

To the rhythm of the song, burning, mad, feverish…

they gave themselves up in intoxication, carried away by the whirlwind.

Hurrah for the toreador! Hurrah for Escamillo!

I toast you in return, gentlemen, for soldiers and toreadors have much in common:

We both fight for pleasure.

It’s a holiday, and the arena is full from top to bottom.

Crazy with excitement, the spectators are roaring,

taunting, shouting, screaming themselves into a frenzy!

This is a celebration of courage, of strong-hearted men. En garde! Let’s go…

Toreador, en garde!

While you fight, dream of the dark eyes that are watching and the love that awaits you.

Suddenly, there’s silence. What’s happening?

No more shouting — it is time. The bull leaps out!

He rushes in and charges. A horse goes down, dragging a picador.

“Bravo, bull!” yells the crowd. The bull comes and goes and strikes again.

Shaking his ribbons, he charges furiously, and the arena is filled with blood.

The others climb over the barriers to save themselves. Now, it’s your turn! Come on…

Toreador, en garde!

While you fight, dream of the dark eyes that are watching and the love that awaits you.

Love…

Toreador, love awaits you!

- We’ve got a deal in mind. - A good one?

- Admirable, my dear. But we need you. - You need us?

For we admit with humility and great respect:

When trickery and thievery are involved, it’s always good to have women along.

Nothing goes well without the pretty ones.

- Don’t you agree? - Indeed, I do:

When trickery and thievery are involved, it’s always good to have women along.

- So you can leave right away? - Whenever you like.

Excuse me… Go, if you wish, but I’m not going with you.

Carmen, my love, do come! You don’t have the heart to abandon us.

At least tell us the reason, Carmen.

Of course I’ll tell you…

The reason is that at this moment…

I’m in love.

- What did she say? - She said she’s in love!

- Carmen, be serious! - Head over heels in love.

This is certainly surprising. But it wouldn’t be the first time, sweetheart,

that you’ve been able to mix business with love.

My friends, I’d like to go with you tonight.

But forgive me — this time, love must come before business.

That can’t be your final word. Let us persuade you. You must come; we need you for this deal!

As for that, I do agree:

When trickery and thievery are involved, it’s always good to have women along.

Without the pretty ones, nothing ever goes well.

“Halt! Who goes there? The soldier of Alcala! Where are you going, soldier of Alcala?

“I am off to make my enemy bite the dust!

“If that’s so, friend, you may pass. Honor and love are everything to us, soldier of Alcala!”

I will dance for you. You’ll see, fine sir, how well I accompany myself.

Sit down, Don Jose. I shall begin:

- Wait a moment, Carmen, stop. - Why, if you please?

I think I hear… Yes, our bugles are calling retreat. Can’t you hear them?

Bravo! It’s sad to dance without an orchestra, and here comes some music out of the blue.

You don’t understand. It’s the retreat, and I have to return to the barracks for roll-call.

To the barracks? For roll-call?

Ah, I’ve been so stupid!

I’ve been going to such lengths to amuse the gentleman.

I sang and danced… God help me, I might have loved him in a little while.

Ta ra ta ta! “My God, it’s the retreat! I’m going to be late!”

He loses his head and runs off! So much for his love.

You don’t believe in my love?

- Listen to me. - I don’t want to hear it. Go — they’ll be waiting!

I insist, Carmen: you will hear me!

The flower you threw at me stayed with me in prison.

Withered and dried, it still kept its sweet scent.

For hours at a time, I would close my eyes and be intoxicated by this scent.

And at night, I would see you.

I began to curse you and hate you, to say to myself:

Why did destiny have to place her in my path?

Then I would accuse myself of blasphemy, and all I would feel is one desire, one hope:

To see you again, Carmen.

For you had but to appear and cast one glance at me

to possess me completely, my Carmen,

and I belonged to you.

Carmen, I love you.

You do not love me.

For if you loved me, you’d go away with me…

- There, into the mountains, if you loved me… - Carmen, hush!

You’d take me away on horseback to ride off into the countryside together, if you loved me.

Carmen, have pity, alas!

You will follow me there. You love me, so take me away…

No, I don’t want to listen to you any more! Desertion? Shame and dishonor — I will not.

- Go, then! I don’t love you any more. I hate you. - Carmen, I beg you…

- Farewell, and forever! - So be it. Farewell forever.

- Who’s there? - Be quiet.

I’m letting myself in.

For shame, my pretty. Not a good choice. Why take the soldier when you’ve got the officer?

- Off with you. - No, I’m not leaving. Prepare to die!

To hell with this jealousy!

- Are you with us now? - There’s no choice.

Not very gallant, but who cares? You’ll take to it when you see it,

beautiful gypsy life, with the universe as your country and your will as law,

and the most intoxicating thing of all: freedom!

Follow us through the countryside into the mountains. You’ll get used to it.

Beautiful gypsy life, with the universe as your country and your will as law,

and the most intoxicating thing of all: freedom!

The open sky, the gypsy lifestyle…

CARMEN by Georges Bizet

Act III: The smugglers’ hideout in the mountains

Shuffle and cut, just so. Three cards here, and four there.

Now speak, my pretties. Give us news of the future.

Tell us who will betray us and who will love us. Speak!

I see a young man, wildly in love with me.

Mine is rich and old, but he’s talking of marriage.

- We ride off into the mountains together. - Mine makes me mistress of a fine castle.

- Endless lovemaking, new pleasures everyday. - As much gold as I can handle, diamonds, gems…

Mine becomes a famous chief, who leads a hundred men.

Mine… Can I believe my eyes?

Yes, he dies!

I’m a widow, and I inherit everything!

Speak again, my pretties!

- Wealth… - Love…

Let’s see… I’ll take a turn…

Diamonds. Spades.

Death! I read it correctly. First me, then him. For both of us — death.

In vain you shuffle to try to escape unhappy answers.

It doesn’t work; the cards are honest and will not lie.

If your page in the celestial book is happy, shuffle and cut without fear.

The card beneath your fingers will turn to joy and announce your good fortune.

But if you must die, if the dreadful word has been written by fate,

try it twenty times — the pitiless cards will repeat, “Death.”

Again… again…

Always death.

Speak again, my pretties! Tell us about the future.

- Who will betray us? Who will love us? - Again!

- Speak again, and tell us! - Despair! Death, again…

- Wealth… Love… - Always death!

I say that nothing frightens me, alas, and that I can take care of myself,

but no matter how valiant I seem, I am dying of fear deep inside.

All alone in this wilderness, I am afraid. But it is wrong of me to be afraid.

You will give me courage and protect me, Lord.

I shall see this woman whose accursed tricks have made a criminal of the man I once loved.

She is dangerous. She is beautiful.

But I don’t want to be afraid.

I shall speak proudly in front of her…

Lord, you will protect me!

I say that nothing frightens me, alas, and that I can take care of myself,

but no matter how valiant I seem, I am dying of fear deep inside.

All alone in this wilderness, I am afraid. But it is wrong of me to be afraid.

You will give me courage and protect me, Lord.

Protect me, oh Lord. Give me courage!

I am Escamillo, Toreador of Granada.

I know your name. Welcome — but really, my friend, you could have died.

I know. But I’m madly in love, and a man who doesn’t risk his life for his love is unworthy.

-Your beloved is here? - Yes. A gypsy, my dear.

Her name?

She had a lover, a soldier who deserted for her.

They were in love, but I think it’s over. Carmen’s affairs don’t last six months.

- Yet you love her? - I love her madly.

You know there’s a price for taking one of our gypsy girls?

- Fine, I’ll pay it. - A price that’s exacted…

…at knifepoint!

You make yourself clear. That deserter — the one she loves, or used to love — that’s you.

-Yes, it is. - Charmed, I’m sure. No more need be said.

On your guard and beware!

No mercy if you’re slow to block a blow. Watch out!

Really, I’m delighted that it’s you, Carmen, saving my life.

As for you, fine soldier… We’re even, but we can resume fighting for the beauty any day you like.

Good, no more fighting. We have to leave, so good-bye, my friend.

Before I take my leave, at least let me invite you to my match in Seville.

I believe I shall be at my best.

Those who love me will be there…

Calm down, my friend. I’m done speaking and have only to bid you all adieu.

- Be careful, Carmen — I’m tired of suffering. - Let’s be off; we must go!

Stop! Someone is trying to hide over here.

- A woman! - What a happy surprise.

Micaela! Foolish girl, what are you doing here?

I came to look for you.

Over yonder is a cottage where a mother prays ceaselessly — your mother, alas.

She weeps for her child. She calls for you with outstretched arms.

Take pity on her, Jose! Follow me…

- Go on. Our trade is no good for you. - You’re telling me to follow her?

So you can run after your new lover? No!

If it costs me my life, Carmen, I won’t leave. The chain that binds us will bind us until death.

One more word, and it will be my last.

Alas, Jose, your mother is dying, and she doesn’t want to die without forgiving you.

Ah, let us leave!

Be glad — I’m leaving. But we shall meet again.

Toreador, en garde!

While you fight, dream of the dark eyes that are watching, and the love that awaits you.

Act IV: Outside a bullfighting arena in Seville

Here they are! Here comes the quadrilla!

Here comes the quadrilla of toreadors, with the sun gleaming on their lances!

Throw your hats in the air!

Hurrah for Escamillo! Bravo!

If you love me, Carmen, you will soon be very proud of me.

Ah, I love you, Escamillo. May I die if I have ever loved anyone as much.

Carmen, some advice: don’t stay here.

And why not?

Don Jose is here, lurking in the crowd. Look!

- I see him. - Be careful.

I’m not the kind of woman to tremble before him. I’ll wait and talk to him.

- Carmen, believe me, you should be careful. - I’m not afraid of anything.

It’s you… They warned me that you weren’t far away, that you’d come here.

They even told me to fear for my life, but I am brave and didn’t wish to flee.

I’m not threatening you, I’m imploring you, begging you.

I can forget our past.

We can begin a new life together, in a different place.

You ask the impossible. Carmen has never lied. Her soul is inflexible:

Everything is over between you and her.

I’ve never lied: everything is over between us.

Carmen, there is still time.

My Carmen, let me save you, for I adore you.

Let me save you and save myself, too.

No! I know it is time, and that you will kill me. But whether I live or die..,

No, I will not yield to you.

- Carmen, there’s still time… - Why bother with a heart that’s no longer yours?

- Let me save us… - You plead in vain; you’ll get nothing from me.

So, you don’t love me any more?

No, I don’t love you any more.

But I still love you, Carmen. Alas, I adore you!

- What good are all these words? - I love you! If you like, I’ll stay a bandit.

Anything you want. Anything, you hear?

But don’t leave me, my Carmen. Remember our past, and how we loved each other.

Carmen will never yield. She was born free, and she will die free!

Hurrah, what a fine match! See the bull leap through the bloody sand. Victory!

- Let me go! - The man they cheer is your new lover?

On my soul: you will not pass. You will follow me.

- I will not follow you. - You’re going to him? You love him, then?

I love him! Before Death itself, I will repeat that I love him.

Hurrah, a fine match…

Thus, I will have lost my soul so that you…

so that you can go, you whore, and laugh at me from his arms?

By blood, I swear you shall not go. It is I you’ll follow.

- Never. - I’m tired of threatening you.

Fine — strike me, then, or let me pass!

Victory!

For the last time, demon, will you follow me?

No. You gave me this ring before — take it!

Be damned, then!

Toreador, en garde! Dream of the dark eyes that are watching and of the love that awaits you.

You can arrest me. It was I who killed her.

Ah Carmen, my beloved Carmen!