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Programme Note

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Cast List:
   MORALES, an officer: Bass
   MICAELA, a peasant girl: Soprano
   ZUNIGA, a lieutenant of dragoons: Bass
   DON JOSE, a corporal of dragoons: Tenor
   CARMEN, a gypsy girl: Soprano
   MERCEDES, a gypsy companion of Carmen: Mezzo Soprano
   FRASQUITA, a gypsy companion of Carmen: Mezzo Soprano
   ESCAMILLO, a toreador: Baritone
   EL REMENDADO, smuggler: Tenor
   EL DANCAIRO, smuggler, Baritone
   Cigarette Girls, Dragoons, an Inkeeper, Smugglers, Dancers

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Synopsis:
Don José, an army corporal in 1820s Seville, is fascinated by the gipsy Carmen. Despite Carmen’s determination to flirt with the toreador Escamillo, José is persuaded to desert the army and escape with her to the mountains to live a true life of liberty. But Escamillo follows them and comes to claim Carmen. José, embittered and jealous challenges him to a fight, but eventually returns home to visit his dying mother in a distant town. Back in Seville, Carmen has promised herself to Escamillo if he wins a certain fight. As his victory is announced, Don José appears dishevelled and declares his love to Carmen. But she rejects him and he, blinded by jealousy, stabs her in the heart.