Carmen by George Bizet
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Georges Bizet's (1838-1875) Carmen was adapted from a novella written by Prosper Merime in 1845. Merime's version was based on a true story.
In the original text, there is no male figure that Carmen is distinctly attracted to. In the libretto, however, this figure takes the form of Escamillo, a Spanish rogue. A blond woman named Michaela was added to balance Jos's character, and offer a foil against which Carmen is cast. Choruses and dancers are added, in addition to army men and officers. In the opera, Carmen is the same strong-willed, destructive siren that she is in the book. (Theirs, http://nhnh.essortment.com/storiescarmeno_rhlt...