Carmen is a French opera by Georges Bizet. The libretto was written by Meilhac and Halevy, based on the story of the same title by Prosper Merimee.
The opera was premiered at the Opéra Comique of Paris on March 3, 1875. For a year after its premiere, it was considered a failure, denounced by critics as "immoral" and "superficial". Today, it is one of the world's most popular operas. In fact, Opera America claims it to be the fourth most-performed opera in North America.
The story concerns the eponymous Carmen, a beautiful gypsy with a fiery temper. Not careful with her love, she is responsible for the downfall of many men. She woos the corporal Don Jose, leading him to mutiny against his superior. His infatuation causes him to join a band of smugglers, of which Carmen is a member. He is happy with Carmen for a brief period, but is driven to madness when she turns from him to the bullfighter Escamillo.
Several well-known pieces from this opera have taken on a life separate to the work: the Prelude (overture), the Toréador Song, and the Habanera.